FAQ

With a track record of over 15,000 cases and a cell quality of 2 billion cells per dose thanks to proprietary technology, we are a leading company in stem cell therapy operating from four

international hubs worldwide.

The biggest difference lies in the sheer volume of our experience and the concentration of cells we can provide. Our vast knowledge gained from a total of 15,000 cases allows us to propose the optimal administration plan tailored to each individual case. Furthermore, our global operations across four locations mean we can quickly incorporate the latest world-class technologies into our treatments—a strength unmatched by other hospitals

Yes, it is possible. Our hospital has concierges who can communicate in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic, and we have a system in place to smoothly welcome patients from overseas (medical tourism). We also collaborate with bases in London, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, so you can consult with us about follow-up care after returning home

Because stem cell therapy uses your own cells, the risk of rejection is considered extremely low. However, there is still a small risk of complications such as bruising at the puncture site or temporary fever. Based on clinical data from over 15,000 cases, our clinic provides detailed explanations of the potential risks during pre-treatment consultations and has a comprehensive aftercare system in place

Absolutely. All stem cell therapies performed at our hospital are properly approved in accordance with the "Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan" submitted to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Furthermore, we continuously undergo regular reviews by the Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee, and we are committed to operating with strict adherence to laws and regulations and prioritizing patient safety

Yes. Our hospital has received technical recognition from leading experts in stem cell research worldwide, including professors from the University of Cambridge. In addition, our research department analyzes clinical data on a daily basis, and the results are presented at international academic conferences and through press releases. This global research network forms the foundation of our hospital's position as a leading company

At our clinic, we prioritize the "viability" and "purity" of cells. By using our proprietary culture medium, "Helene Medium," we can proliferate cells while maintaining their activity. Furthermore, we use advanced technologies such as MACS (Magnetic Cell Separation) to precisely extract and manage only the stem cells that are effective for treatment. These processes are rigorously carried out in our own culture facility, which is ISO9001 certified

Having bases around the world allows us to incorporate not only Japanese domestic standards but also stringent medical standards and the latest research data from Europe and the Middle East. Furthermore, through our overseas bases, we collaborate with renowned university hospitals and research institutions in various countries, and this international relationship of trust is one of the reasons why our hospital is recognized as a leading company in stem cell therapy

Yes, the Helene Group, which operates our hospital, is headquartered in Tokyo (Japan) and has a global presence with four locations worldwide: London (UK), Dubai (UAE), and Abu Dhabi (UAE). By sharing the latest regulations and scientific knowledge from each country, we constantly maintain a world-leading regenerative medicine network

Our hospital owns its own cleanroom (CPC) that has obtained the international standard ISO9001. In addition, we use our proprietary culture medium "Helene Growth Medium" which maximizes cell viability, and our specialized culture technicians perform rigorous quality checks (bacterial testing, viral testing, cell counting, etc.) on all cases. This thorough management system supports the overwhelming cell quality of 2 billion cells

Depending on the patient's condition and treatment objectives, our clinic can provide high doses of up to 2 billion stem cells in a single administration using our proprietary cell culture technology. Generally, the number and quality of cells administered are considered important factors influencing the effectiveness of treatment, and our clinic has earned a strong reputation for providing these "high-concentration, high-quality" cells

We welcome patients not only from within Japan, but also from all over the world, including China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. In particular, affluent individuals and those with a high level of health consciousness appreciate our overwhelming number of cases and safety standards, and we continue to be chosen as a hub for global medical tourism

Since its opening in 2013, our hospital has been a pioneer in regenerative medicine in Japan. Our group has treated over 15,000 cases in total (as of the end of 2024), a record that is among the top in Japan and globally. Based on our many years of clinical experience, we provide personalized medicine tailored to each individual patient

Answer) I am very humbled that you would say we are the best in the world

Our hospital has over 10 years of experience and has performed 15,000 stem cell administrations. Based on our experience with a large number of cases, our conclusion is that this treatment is not as simple as general practitioners might think

First of all, systemic administration of stem cells is ineffective unless there is a sufficiently large number of cells. Stem cells have the same medicinal effects as drugs, so they will not be effective unless the amount is appropriate, but the quantities of 100 million to 300 million that are generally offered are far too small

We recently published a peer-reviewed paper showing that administering 100-300 million cells compared to 1-2 billion cells reduces the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction 10 years after administration by about one-third. Stem cell therapy is a new medical treatment, so doctors around the world are still exploring its possibilities, but Helene already has an established administration protocol, and we perform personalized stem cell therapy by adjusting the appropriate number of cells and cell differentiation for each patient

I believe that the difference between our excellent protocols and clinical experience is what patients appreciate about us

Somatic stem cells are present in various tissues throughout the body, but research has shown that they are particularly abundant in subcutaneous fat.
At our clinic, we use a method of harvesting stem cells from the subcutaneous fat behind the ear.

The homing effect refers to the physiological phenomenon in which, after being administered into the body, stem cells spontaneously locate damaged or inflamed tissue, accumulate there, and promote repair and regeneration.
Stem cells administered intravenously travel throughout the body via the peripheral blood circulation, reaching the site of injury through the lymphatic system and blood vessels. There, they adhere to the vascular endothelium, infiltrate the surrounding tissue, and then undergo proliferation and differentiation to transform into the target cells.

Subcutaneous fat behind the ear is rich in stem cells and is characterized by its high tissue uniformity. Compared to subcutaneous fat in the abdomen or thighs, the volume of fat droplets is smaller, and an environment conducive to stem cell growth is maintained. Therefore, adipose tissue harvested from behind the ear is considered superior in both the "number" and "quality" of stem cells obtained.
In addition, the area behind the ear is less noticeable, and scarring is less likely, which reduces the psychological burden on the patient.

There are no special restrictions. You can eat as you normally would.

You can go home immediately after the procedure. The incision is very small, you can shower from the same day, and it will not significantly disrupt your daily life.
In addition, our group provides careful follow-up, such as by phone, as needed, to alleviate any concerns you may have about post-operative wounds or pain.

Yes, when you receive treatment, the doctor will explain everything to you in detail. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. It is most important that you fully understand and agree with the contents before proceeding with treatment.

To receive cultured stem cell therapy, blood and skin tissue are first taken, and the stem cells contained within are extracted and cultured.
The culturing process takes about one month, after which the stem cells can be administered intravenously. The intravenous infusion is administered slowly over approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
Skin tissue is harvested under local anesthesia, and the sensation is similar to that of dental treatment. The harvest site is small, about 5 mm, and the scar becomes almost invisible after about a month.

[Safe and pure stem cell culture technology and culture medium]
https://stemcells.jp/technique/

You will feel the effects in around 3 to 6 months.

In Japan, there have been reports of deaths due to pulmonary embolism following stem cell administration (causal relationship unclear), and in the United States, there have been cases of blindness resulting from intraorbital administration.
At our hospital, we have established strict standards regarding cell quality control and administration methods, and we prioritize safety in all treatments.
To date, we have provided treatment to over 16,000 patients, and there have been no reports of serious complications.

Our hospital's regenerative medicine provision plan (approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) offers consultations and stem cell therapy for the following conditions:
age-related skin changes, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, hair loss, immunosenescence, bone resorption dental disease, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), old cerebral infarction, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), female hormone imbalances, neurodegenerative diseases, male erectile dysfunction, etc.
For more details, please feel free to contact our staff.

[List of Regenerative Medicine Provision Plans (Treatments)]
https://saiseiiryo.mhlw.go.jp/published_plan/index/2

As a general rule, stem cell therapy is not available to those with active malignant tumors. Decisions will be made individually based on the patient's treatment history and condition.

There is no scientific evidence that stem cells themselves become cancerous, and no such reports have been confirmed in domestic or international research.

At our hospital, we appropriately implement processes to prevent cell aggregation (cell clustering) at two crucial stages: after the completion of stem cell culture and before administration.
Furthermore, by using a culture medium uniquely developed at our hospital, the size of cultured stem cells is approximately 20% smaller compared to other commercially available culture media, thereby further reducing the risk of pulmonary embolism and other complications.

All of our patients' stem cells are consistently cultured in our in-house stem cell culture laboratory (CPC).
All cell culture equipment used has received approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for "Specific Cell Processing Product Manufacturing Notification," and is also ISO 9001 certified (application for ISO 9001 certification is currently pending at our AO Building branch).

In 2018, we presented the results of our self-made animal serum-free medium (HELENE Medium) at the Cambridge International Stem Cell Symposium. The first point is that more cells can be cultured with HELENE Medium than with other commercially available media in the same period of time. The second point is that the size of the mesenchymal stem cells cultured with HELENE Medium is the smallest. The academic evidence suggests that the smaller the stem cells are, the more unlikely they are to differentiate into fibroblasts. The above two points together confirm that the fat tissue taken from behind the ear does contain MSCs. The amount of fat collected is relatively low compared to that of the thigh or stomach, but with our own laboratory technology and HELENE Medium, it is possible to culture up to 2.25 billion MSCs in one month.

[Safe and pure stem cell culture technology and culture medium]
https://stemcells.jp/technique/

Our hospital's proprietary serum-free culture medium (HELENE Medium), combined with vertical culture vessels and experienced cell culture specialists, allows us to maintain the quality of stem cells while culturing and administering up to 2.25 billion stem cells. Without
any of these elements, this level of quality and quantity cannot be achieved.

At our hospital, after the completion of stem cell culture, we perform the following three-stage verification process.
First, we use an autoMACS magnetic bead separator to confirm that the cells are indeed stem cells.
Next, we accurately measure the actual number of stem cells using a Countess FL III automated cell counter.
Furthermore, we evaluate the viability of the stem cells using an AI image recognition system developed in-house.
Only cells that clear all three of these steps are handed over to the medical department and used for administration.

[About our stem cell culture laboratory]
https://stemcells.jp/lab/

Our hospital's regenerative medicine provision plan (accepted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) stipulates that, in principle, patients must be 18 years of age or older. However, for patients with type 1 diabetes, treatment is available to those aged 6 years or older. Treatment is also possible for elderly patients as long as there are no problems with their overall condition. A doctor will thoroughly confirm suitability in advance.

Yes. Our hospital has submitted a "Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan" to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and provides treatment in an appropriate system based on laws and regulations.