iPSC therapy developer YiPSCELL raises Series C from Big Move Ventures, returning backers
What's the deal? South Korean biotech YiPSCELL has raised a Series C round led by Big Move VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with IntervestDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Premier PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, HB InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Aju IB InvestmentDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Korea Venture Investment Corp also taking part. The company develops regenerative cell therapies from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), with its lead candidate a knee-osteoarthritis treatment called MIUChon. Terms were not disclosed in the latest announcement.
What's the endgame? YiPSCELL plans to use the proceeds to accelerate clinical research and push toward commercialisation. Several existing major shareholders rejoined the round, which the company said signals its focus on fast commercialisation.
Why now? The financing lands as YiPSCELL completed dosing of 30 participants in a controlled study of MIUChon. Dosing completion is not proof of benefit — follow-up and safety and efficacy assessment are still underway.
iPSCs are adult cells reprogrammed with specific genes so they can grow into many cell types, much like embryonic stem cells. YiPSCELL, led by chief executive officer Joo Ji-hyun, uses them to develop advanced regenerative medicines.
Investor view: "YiPSCELL is a company driving research and commercialisation in advanced regenerative medicine," said Jung Hoon-jae, chief executive officer of Big Move Ventures (translated from Korean). "We invested based on the scalability of its flagship pipeline MIUChon and related technologies."
Big Move Ventures invests mainly in bio-healthcare and ESG. Its portfolio includes Indian microfinance firm Affinity, AI-based musculoskeletal surgery company ConnectiveDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, pharmacy digital-transformation platform Chamyaksa, and genome-analysis firm Innocras.
The signal: The round backs a move toward more substantial clinical development rather than an already validated treatment. The key value inflection will be the study results and YiPSCELL's readiness for company-led trials.
Read more: platum.kr
Image credit: pingnews.com
