Cellaid Therapeutics Secures 400 Million Yen in Funding, Bringing Total to 3.4 Billion Yen for US Clinical Trials

Overview of Funding

Cellaid Therapeutics, Inc. has completed the second close of its Series B funding round, securing a total of 400 million yen. This round welcomed new investors Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Teikoku Ventures, Inc., the corporate venture capital arm of the Teikoku Seiyaku Group. Additionally, the company has received a Stage 3 grant decision under the CiDER (Drug Discovery Venture Ecosystem Enhancement Project) by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). Including these funds, the company's cumulative funding now totals 3.42 billion yen.

About Cellaid Therapeutics

Originating as a startup from the University of Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba, Cellaid Therapeutics has developed proprietary technology to selectively amplify hematopoietic stem cells—the origin of blood cells—outside the body. Leveraging this platform technology, the company aims to develop and implement cell and gene therapy products targeting refractory blood disorders and genetic diseases.

Purpose of Funding and Future Outlook

The newly raised funds will be allocated toward preparations for the US Investigational New Drug (IND) application and the initiation of clinical trials for "CLD-001," a hematopoietic stem cell therapy product targeting serious pediatric diseases. Specifically, the company will advance the establishment of the cell manufacturing process, safety evaluations, clinical development, and regulatory affairs. At the same time, Cellaid plans to further strengthen its proprietary hematopoietic stem cell expansion platform and accelerate its application to next-generation cell therapy modalities.