EHL BIO R&D Team Recognized as an Outstanding Research Organization for Its Cell Therapy Expertise

KIDSTEM®, a urine-derived stem cell-based therapy for chronic kidney disease, is a cell therapy candidate under development by EHL BIO. It utilizes stem cells obtained from urine to explore the potential recovery of damaged kidney tissue. Research is currently underway in domestic clinical trials to evaluate its safety and efficacy.

The EHL BIO R&D team has researched technologies for preserving cells in urine, isolating the required cells, and culturing them reliably. In 2025, based on these cell therapy research capabilities, the team was selected as a recipient organization of the IR52 Jang Young-sil Technology Innovation Award.

Urine-Derived Stem Cells and KIDSTEM® Research

Urine is a biological resource that can be collected relatively conveniently and non-invasively. However, reliably securing and culturing cells for therapeutic research requires preservation conditions that maintain cell viability, as well as cell isolation and culture processes.

KIDSTEM® is a candidate cell therapy that uses stem cells obtained from urine to investigate the potential recovery of damaged kidney tissue associated with chronic kidney disease. EHL BIO continues its research to examine the relationship between the characteristics of stem cells and kidney tissue regeneration.

The Role of Cell Preservation, Isolation, and Culture Processes

In cell therapy development, it is essential to secure cells suited to the research objective and expand them under consistent conditions. As urine is not an environment optimized for cell survival, technologies are needed to maintain cell stability after collection.

The EHL BIO R&D team has developed preservation technologies to improve cell viability, high-purity isolation technologies to select the desired cells, and technologies for stable cell culture. These processes provide the foundation for securing cells needed for KIDSTEM® research and evaluating their quality.

Since its establishment in 2012, EHL BIO has conducted research on next-generation cell therapies based on stem cells and immune cells. In developing KIDSTEM®, the company is conducting kidney-related research based on its cell acquisition and culture technologies.

Klotho Protein and Kidney Tissue Research

In the course of KIDSTEM® research, EHL BIO is also focusing on the Klotho protein. Klotho is a protein expressed in certain human tissues, including the kidneys, and has been studied in relation to aging, oxidative stress, and tissue regeneration.

The R&D team is examining the relationship between the properties of urine-derived stem cells and the Klotho protein, while researching the potential recovery and regeneration of damaged kidney cells. The therapeutic effects and safety of cell therapies must be sufficiently validated through clinical trials, and findings at the research stage must not be interpreted as an approved treatment.

Symptoms or test results related to chronic kidney disease require diagnosis and consultation with a healthcare professional. This article is intended to explain the development background and research status of KIDSTEM®, not to provide treatment or diagnostic guidance.

Selected as a Recipient Organization of the 2025 IR52 Jang Young-sil Technology Innovation Award

The EHL BIO R&D team was selected as a recipient organization of the 2025 IR52 Jang Young-sil Technology Innovation Award. Its cell preservation, isolation, and culture technologies accumulated through the development of urine-derived stem cell-based therapies, along with the research achievements of KIDSTEM®, were recognized as significant technological accomplishments.

This selection represents an external recognition of the foundational technologies the R&D team has built in the field of cell therapy. EHL BIO plans to continue advancing its cell preservation, isolation, and culture processes while accumulating safety- and efficacy-related data through domestic clinical research.

About EHL BIO

EHL BIO is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing healthy human life through stem cell-based regenerative medicine. By scientifically exploring the innate self-repair capacity of cells, it is developing new approaches to aging and disease. Combining premium healthcare with advanced biotechnology, the company delivers solutions for healthier, more vital lives.