Panasonic Holdings and CiRA Foundation Develop Technology to Automate iPS Cell Generation

According to a report by Sankei Shimbun on August 25, 2026, Panasonic Holdings worked with the CiRA Foundation to develop technology to automate the process of generating iPS cells. A demonstration trial began in April 2026 at the foundation’s my iPS Lab in Osaka.

In producing iPS cells from cells derived from a patient’s own blood, a challenge is that the results can depend heavily on the skills of experienced workers. The development is testing a foundation for replacing tasks from cell generation through cultivation with machines. Panasonic Holdings says it aims to use the technology to ensure consistent cell quality and even out workloads.