Celaid Therapeutics Inc., a Tokyo-based biotechnology startup, announced on October 4, 2026, the second close of its Series B financing round. Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Teikoku Ventures, Inc. joined as new investors, contributing JPY 400 million, or approximately US$2.6 million. The company also passed the second stage gate review of AMED's Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem and advanced to Stage 3 funding.
Financing and Grant Support
The second close increases Celaid's cumulative funding, including grants, to approximately JPY 3.42 billion, or roughly US$22.1 million. The new equity was raised through a third-party allocation of new shares, a private placement. Both investors cited the development progress and therapeutic potential of CLD-001 as key reasons for their participation.
Proceeds from the round will be allocated primarily to manufacturing, safety assessment, clinical development, and regulatory activities. These efforts support CLD-001's investigational new drug application and the initiation of clinical trials in the United States. Celaid also plans to strengthen its proprietary hematopoietic stem cell expansion platform and explore new therapeutic modalities and business opportunities in cell and gene therapy.
Advancing CLD-001 Toward Clinical Trials
CLD-001 is a novel ex vivo-expanded hematopoietic stem cell therapy product being developed for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases. Celaid is advancing the program toward a first-in-human clinical trial in the United States, with preparations underway across nonclinical development, cell manufacturing, CMC, clinical development, and regulatory activities. The program has achieved positive nonclinical data supporting efficacy and safety in animal models.
Celaid has established the manufacturing process for CLD-001 and completed technology transfer to a U.S. contract development and manufacturing organization. The company also completed a Pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and advanced preparations toward an IND submission and clinical trial initiation. These milestones position the company to move into first-in-human studies.
Strategic Investor Interest
Shionogi's representative noted that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can offer curative treatment for certain serious hematologic and inherited diseases, especially in pediatric patients. The investor believes Celaid's expansion technology may help overcome donor shortages and post-transplant complications. Shionogi valued the alignment with its commitment to protecting health and addressing societal challenges.
Teikoku Ventures highlighted the potential of Celaid's ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell expansion technology as a foundational platform for cell and gene therapies. The corporate venture capital firm sees the investment as an opportunity to support a Japan-originated startup with innovative scientific capabilities. It also positions the move as part of advancing open innovation and contributing to new treatment options for patients.
About Celaid Therapeutics
Celaid Therapeutics is a biotechnology startup originating from the University of Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba. The company has proprietary technology for the selective ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells, which give rise to all blood cells. Celaid aims to advance next-generation cell and gene therapies, including HSC-based therapies, ex vivo HSC gene therapies, and regenerative therapies for ischemic diseases.
The second close of the Series B round and AMED Stage 3 selection provide Celaid with additional momentum as it prepares for U.S. clinical development. With new pharmaceutical investors and grant support, the company is positioned to advance CLD-001 through IND-enabling work and toward clinical trials. President and CEO Nobuyuki Arakawa expressed confidence that the funding will help the company become a global leader in the hematopoietic stem cell field and deliver innovative treatment options to patients worldwide.