OMRON Corporation (HQ: Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto. CEO: Yoshihito Yamada) announced today that it will donate 6,730,000 yen, which was collected via the fiscal 2019 Shareholder Benefit Program, to Kyoto University Fund, iPS Cell Research Fund.

Launched in 2013, OMRON's Shareholder Benefit Program has allowed its shareholders to choose donation, OMRON Healthcare devices, or other items in accordance with the number of shares held. Beginning in fiscal 2018, the iPS Cell Research Fund has been chosen as the sole recipient of the donations, a reflection of OMRON's support for the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University (Location: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Director: Shinya Yamanaka, MD, PhD) in their endeavor to the rapid development of iPS cell-based therapies or to deliver the benefits of iPS cell research as quickly as possible to patients.
In fiscal 2019, a total of 2,130 applications amounting to 6,730,000 yen were filed within a month before the window was closed at the end of June which surpassed the 1,784 applications amounting to 5,666,000 yen in fiscal 2018. The gift will be utilized to support iPS cells' medical applications and innovative research, ensure stable employment of brilliant researchers and research support staff, training of young researchers, and establishment and protection of intellectual properties on iPS cells, etc.

True to our mission of continuing to contribute to a sustainable society, resolving social issues through our business, we at OMRON will remain committed to contribute to a better society through a variety of programs, including giving to the iPS Cell Research Fund.

About Kyoto University Fund, iPS Cell Research Fund

The iPS Cell Research Fund was established under the Kyoto University Fund in April 2009 with a view toward accelerating the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University's (CiRA) efforts by enabling them to work seamlessly to conduct research ranging from basic to applied, thereby making the fruit of iPS cell research available for social causes without delay.

For details, please visit http://www.cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp/e/about/fund.html.

Donations via OMRON's Shareholder Benefit Program

OMRON introduced the Shareholder Benefit Program in fiscal 2013 in appreciation of continuing support from our shareholders. Shareholders holding 100 shares or more and those holding 300 shares or more may choose OMRON Healthcare devices and other items of 2,000 yen and 6,000 yen, respectively, or make donations instead.

Key reasons for selecting the iPS Cell Research Fund as the recipient

1. 1. CiRA is engaged in research activity towards its mission of achieving the clinical application of iPS cells that will result in solving social issues. Their aim corresponds to OMRON principle and its key practices to "contribute to help realize healthy and comfortable lives for people around the world."

1. 2. By adding the iPS Cell Research Fund to the list of options for the Shareholder Benefit Program, we can invite our shareholders to empathize with our efforts to live up to the OMRON Principles and assist CiRA's research for practical application of iPS cells by giving to the fund.

1. 3. Being a corporate citizen of Kyoto, we can contribute to the development of the local community by supporting advanced scientific research and innovative research by the Kyoto-based university.