Cincinnati Children's Takebe Earns TIME100 Health Recognition for Organoid and Rescue Breathing Innovations
Event summary
- Takanori Takebe, MD, PhD, named to 2026 TIME100 Health List, first from Cincinnati Children's.
- Pioneered functional liver organoid models and rectal oxygenation rescue technique for respiratory distress.
- Founded OrsoBio, a metabolic therapeutics startup, and leads commercial innovation at CuSTOM.
- Received multiple awards, including 2024 IgNobel Prize for 'butt breathing' concept now in human trials.
- Research rooted in Dr. Leland Clark's discovery at Cincinnati Children's.
The big picture
Takebe's inclusion in the TIME100 Health List underscores the growing intersection of regenerative medicine and unconventional life-support technologies. His work bridges academic research and commercial applications, positioning Cincinnati Children's as a leader in organoid-based therapeutics. The recognition also highlights the increasing importance of cross-border collaborations in biomedical innovation, particularly between U.S. and Japanese institutions.
What we're watching
- Clinical Translation
- The pace at which Takebe's rectal oxygenation technique advances through human trials and gains regulatory approval.
- Commercialization
- Whether OrsoBio can capitalize on Takebe's organoid research to develop market-ready metabolic therapeutics.
- Institutional Impact
- How Cincinnati Children's leverages this recognition to attract funding and talent for its stem cell and organoid programs.