Luca Science

About Luca Science

LUCA Science is a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of mitochondrial therapy designed to restore cellular bioenergetics in tissues and organs that are dysfunctional or damaged. The company was established in Tokyo, Japan on December 25, 2018, by Masashi Suganuma, M.D., Ph.D., as a spin-off from the 7 SEAS PROJECT. Dr. Suganuma has 30 years of experience as a medical doctor and approximately 20 years in research and drug discovery.

The company's core technology platform focuses on the isolation, storage, and delivery of functional mitochondria as a biopharmaceutical agent. This proprietary method allows for the creation of intact, shelf-stable, and highly functional isolated mitochondria that can be administered to damaged tissues. The goal is to improve the bioenergetics and function of tissues affected by conditions with high energy demand, such as those sensitive to oxygen deficiency like the brain and heart. By supplying these external mitochondria, LUCA Science aims to stimulate cell activation and restore normal function in areas damaged by ischemia-reperfusion injuries, which are associated with myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. The company's recent studies have indicated that administering their proprietary mitochondria to injured tissues can improve their bioenergetics and functions. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Metabolism demonstrated the potential for mitochondria transfer-based therapies to reduce morbidity and mortality in mouse models of Leigh Syndrome, a mitochondrial disorder.

LUCA Science operates on a business model centered on research and development, funded by significant venture capital investments. The company has raised a total of $39.3 million over two funding rounds. A Series A round in September 2020 raised $9.8 million, led by Axil Capital Partners. This was followed by an oversubscribed Series B financing in June 2022, which raised $30.3 million, co-led by DCI Partners, 4BIO Capital, and Fast Track Initiative. These funds are allocated to accelerate R&D toward Investigational New Drug (IND) submission, advance its pipeline into new therapeutic areas, and establish a robust manufacturing system. The firm collaborates with academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies, such as a joint research agreement with Kyowa Kirin to develop treatments for mitochondrial diseases.