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Japanese startup Celaid Therapeutics Inc. has announced the completion of the second close of its Series B financing round. The round welcomed Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Teikoku Ventures, Inc. as new investors, raising a total of JPY 400 million (approximately $2.6 million).
In addition, Celaid passed the second stage-gate review of AMED's "Strengthening Programme for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem" and was selected for Stage 3 funding. With this financing and AMED support, Celaid's cumulative funding raised to date, including grants, now totals approximately JPY 3.42 billion (approximately $22.1 million).
The participating investors cited CLD-001's development progress and its therapeutic potential as key factors in their investment decisions. The new participation from pharmaceutical companies represents significant momentum for Celaid as it advances the US development of CLD-001.
CLD-001 is a novel ex vivo-expanded hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy product being developed for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases. Celaid is advancing the CLD-001 program toward the initiation of a first-in-human clinical trial in the United States, with preparations underway across the nonclinical, cell manufacturing and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls), clinical, and regulatory activities.
Proceeds from this financing will be allocated primarily to manufacturing, safety assessment, clinical development, and regulatory activities in support of CLD-001's IND application and the initiation of clinical trials in the United States.
