サイアス、Eight Roads Ventures Japan及びF-Prime Capital Partnersを新規投資家とし、総額21.3億円の資金調達完了、米国展開へ
2022年2月28日
各 位
サイアス株式会社
サイアス、Eight Roads Ventures Japan及びF-Prime Capital Partnersを新規投資家とし、総額21.3億円の資金調達完了、米国展開へ
サイアス株式会社（京都府京都市、代表取締役：等 泰道・五ノ坪 良輔、以下「サイアス」）は、2022年2月21日、シリーズB資金調達において、世界でもトップクラスのヘルスケア投資の実績を有するEight Roads Ventures Japan（以下「Eight Roads」）及びF-Prime Capital Partners（以下「F-Prime」）を新規投資家として迎え入れ、既存投資家のD3 LLCによるフォローオン投資と合わせ、総額 21.3億円を第三者割当増資で調達したことをお知らせいたします。
サイアスは、他家iPS細胞を原料として、固形がんをターゲットにT細胞受容体（TCR）を遺伝子導入するiPS細胞由来T細胞製品や、同様に固形がんをターゲットとするキメラ抗原受容体（CAR）遺伝子を導入したiPS細胞由来NK細胞製品等の各種免疫細胞治療の研究開発を行っています。また、この分化技術から製造される再生免疫細胞は、さまざまなTCRやCARを搭載して多様ながん種に対する治療法の開発を行うことができるプラットフォームとなり得ることから、所望のターゲットを狙ったTCRやCARを搭載した、さまざまな免疫細胞製品をパートナーと共同で開発することも可能になります。
サイアスでは、今回のシリーズBの資金調達により、研究開発体制の大幅な拡充を図り、次世代の免疫細胞療法の開発を加速すると同時に、Eight Roads／F-Primeの協力の下、本格的な米国展開の準備を開始致します。近年、米国を中心に免疫細胞療法の開発が急速に活発化しています。その中でも京都大学iPS細胞研究所を起源とするサイアスの免疫細胞分化方法は世界有数の技術です。サイアスは日本で産まれ、培われた技術を基に、世界最先端の遺伝子・細胞療法市場、巨大な資本市場、そして優秀な人材へのアクセスが可能な米国に進出し、グローバル企業への第一歩を踏み出してまいります。
〈採用情報〉
サイアスではiPS細胞、免疫細胞療法、ゲノム編集技術、その他、治験や細胞の商業生産等に携わる国内外の優秀な人材を募集しています。
採用: https://thyas.co.jp/join/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thyas/
【サイアス株式会社について】
サイアスは、「京都大学iPS細胞研究所（CiRA）」金子新教授の研究成果を元に、iPS細胞由来の免疫細胞（T細胞やNK細胞等）の臨床応用に向けた研究開発を進める京都大学発ベンチャーです。近年、免疫チェックポイント阻害薬やキメラ抗原受容体遺伝子導入T細胞（CAR-T）等のがん免疫療法が大きな効果をあげています。しかし末期患者の免疫細胞は疲弊状態にあるため拡大培養が困難であり、固形がんの治療においては安全かつ十分な奏効は未だ実現していません。サイアスの技術は、同種iPS細胞からT細胞やＮＫ細胞等の各種免疫細胞へと分化させることで、その疲弊状態を解除し、腫瘍に対する高い攻撃力を回復した元気な免疫細胞を大量に、安価に得ることを可能にします。
URL: https://thyas.co.jp/
【Eight Roads Venturesについて】
Eight Roads Venturesは大手資産運用会社のフィデリティの資金を基に投資を行うベンチャーキャピタルファンドです。ヘルスケア領域を含む革新的技術や高い成長が見込まれる企業へ、米国、欧州、アジア、イスラエルなどでグローバルに投資活動を行っています。業界に対する知見とグローバルなネットワークを最大限に活用し、投資先に対してハンズオンで経営を支援し続けています。
URL: https://eightroads.com/en/
【F-Prime Capital Partnersについて】
F-Prime Capital Partnersは米国、欧州を拠点に世界中でヘルスケアやテクノロジー分野に投資を行うベンチャーキャピタルで、Eight Roads Venturesの姉妹ファンドです。ヘルスケア領域での長年の実績とEight Roads Venturesとの連携により、米国・欧州のみならず世界中で投資を行っています。
URL: https://fprimecapital.com
【D3 LLCについて】
2017年に創業した、ヘルスケア領域特化の、投資・事業・コンサルティング会社です。「世界の医療健康への貢献」をミッションに、有望な科学技術シーズや事業アイデアへの資金提供(Discovery)に留まらず、経営者と伴に、有意義なプロダクト・サービスの創造とそれらを顧客に届けるためのビジネスモデルの構築(Development)を通じて、科学技術・アイデアの社会実装(Deployment)を志します。ベンチャーキャピタルに関しては、投資の数を目的とせず、バイオヘルスケア領域のグローバル・スタンダードに従い、少数の投資先に丁寧な支援を行います。
URL: https://www.d3growth.com/jp/
【問い合わせ先】
サイアス株式会社（五ノ坪）
Tel:（075）752-1555
Email: info@thyas.co.jp
Thyas Co. Ltd., a Kyoto University spin-off, Closes JPY 2.1B Series B Financing from Eight Roads Ventures/F-Prime to Develop Novel iPSC-derived Immune Cell Platform
— Financing supports advancement of development for various immune cell therapy platforms, including T cells, NK cells, and other immune cells, derived from hypoimmunogenic iPSC, and establishment of a bridgehead in the U.S.A. for global expansion —
Kyoto, Japan, February 21, 2022— Thyas Co. Ltd., a Kyoto-based biotechnology company developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived immune cell therapies for cancer and infectious diseases, announced today the closing of JPY 2.1B Series B financing. The financing was co-led by Eight Roads Ventures Japan and F-Prime Capital Partners, the world's leading healthcare investor group, with follow-on participation by D3 LLC, a Japanese investor specialized in the bio-healthcare field.
Thyas, a Kyoto University spin-off, is pioneering producing iPS cell-derived T cells for the treatment of cancers and infectious diseases. In recent years, autologous CAR-T therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy. However, many challenges still remain for the production of sufficient numbers for clinical and commercial operations since quantity and quality of patient-derived T cells vary. Thyas’ technology, originated by Dr. Shin Kaneko, a professor at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Japan, makes it possible to manufacture a large number of iPSC-derived immune cells with potent cytotoxicity and large proliferative capacity, which demonstrate significant efficacy and persistency in vivo. The therapeutic benefits are expected to be treating patients with no/few or exhausted immune cells, breaking through an immunosuppressive microenvironment with large numbers of immune cells, and completely removing cancer cells. Thyas is one of a few companies in the world that successfully established robust differentiation technologies to generate potent CD8ab expressing killer T cells, which have strong avidity to target tumor cells and enhanced migratory activities into tumor cites.
Proceeds from the financing will support the continuing development of iPSC-derived killer T cells, iPSC-derived CAR-NK cells recently-added to its portfolio of product candidates, and other exploratory-stage iPSC-derived immune cells. Thyas also initiates development of the next generation products from hypoimmunogenic iPSC. The financing and other supports from F-Prime and Eight Roads will also enable Thyas to expand its team to support the company’s future growth, including establishment of operations in the U.S.A, where Thyas seeks candidates of executives, Sr./Jr. scientists, medical experts, and other experts in the field. Meanwhile, the Kyoto site continues to expand its R&D capacities. F-Prime and Eight Roads will give Thyas strategic advices for the company’s growth and proactive support for syndicating next financing rounds.
“We are gratified to share with this exceptional investor group our vision that we bring the novel cell therapies to patients to cure solid cancers,” said Yasumichi Hitoshi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thyas. “With help from F-Prime and Eight Roads, we can leverage the most advanced iPSC-to-immune cell differentiation technologies stemmed from our geographical advantages, i.e. Kyoto University, the Mecca of iPS Cell research, and combine them with the world’s topmost biotech infrastructure and a talent pool in the U.S.A. We are going to be a genuine international company.”
About Thyas Co. Ltd.
Founded in 2015, Thyas is a Kyoto University spinoff that promotes R&D for the clinical application of iPS cell-derived immune cells based on the researches by Dr. Shin Kaneko at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University. Dr. Kaneko, the founder of Thyas, is the world’s first scientist to demonstrate T cell differentiation from human iPSC and in vitro/in vivo efficacy in 2013. Thyas is the pioneer of iPSC-to-T-cell differentiation technologies in the world, and the platformer to produce various immune cells to transduce any TCRs or CARs of interest. Thyas is looking for talented people worldwide to join its endeavor to make solid cancers curable diseases.
URL: https://thyas.co.jp/en
Careers: https://thyas.co.jp/en/join/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thyas/jobs
About Eight Roads Ventures
Eight Roads Ventures is a global investment firm backed by Fidelity. Eight Roads Ventures invests in high-quality, high-growth companies in Asia, Europe, Israel, and the US, focusing on healthcare, technology, and consumers. Eight Roads is committed to making the companies it invests in leaders in their industries through access to patient capital, a robust network of resources, and a team of investment professionals with a proven track record of success.
URL: https://eightroads.com/en/
About F-Prime Capital Partners
F-Prime Capital is a global venture capital firm investing in healthcare and technology. For the past 50 years, our independent venture capital group has had the privilege of backing great entrepreneurs building groundbreaking companies. With over two billion dollars under management and a global portfolio of more than 200 companies, we champion those dedicated to creating positive change in the world. F-Prime is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in London, UK and San Francisco, CA.
URL: https://fprimecapital.com/
About D3 LLC.
D3 LLC is a Japanese investment and consulting firm specializing in the healthcare domain. With the mission of "contributing to the global health from Japan," D3 LLC not only provides funding for promising scientific and technological discovery or business ideas, but also works closely with entrepreneurs to develop impactful products and services and build vital business models to deploy them globally. D3 LLCs’ professionals are with both business and science acumen and global networks to enable the mission.
URL: https://www.d3growth.com
CONTACT:
Ryo Gonotsubo
Representative Director, COO/CFO
Thyas Co. Ltd.
Tel: 81 (75) 752-1555
Email: info@thyas.co.jp
各 位
サイアス株式会社
サイアス、Eight Roads Ventures Japan及びF-Prime Capital Partnersを新規投資家とし、総額21.3億円の資金調達完了、米国展開へ
サイアス株式会社（京都府京都市、代表取締役：等 泰道・五ノ坪 良輔、以下「サイアス」）は、2022年2月21日、シリーズB資金調達において、世界でもトップクラスのヘルスケア投資の実績を有するEight Roads Ventures Japan（以下「Eight Roads」）及びF-Prime Capital Partners（以下「F-Prime」）を新規投資家として迎え入れ、既存投資家のD3 LLCによるフォローオン投資と合わせ、総額 21.3億円を第三者割当増資で調達したことをお知らせいたします。
サイアスは、他家iPS細胞を原料として、固形がんをターゲットにT細胞受容体（TCR）を遺伝子導入するiPS細胞由来T細胞製品や、同様に固形がんをターゲットとするキメラ抗原受容体（CAR）遺伝子を導入したiPS細胞由来NK細胞製品等の各種免疫細胞治療の研究開発を行っています。また、この分化技術から製造される再生免疫細胞は、さまざまなTCRやCARを搭載して多様ながん種に対する治療法の開発を行うことができるプラットフォームとなり得ることから、所望のターゲットを狙ったTCRやCARを搭載した、さまざまな免疫細胞製品をパートナーと共同で開発することも可能になります。
サイアスでは、今回のシリーズBの資金調達により、研究開発体制の大幅な拡充を図り、次世代の免疫細胞療法の開発を加速すると同時に、Eight Roads／F-Primeの協力の下、本格的な米国展開の準備を開始致します。近年、米国を中心に免疫細胞療法の開発が急速に活発化しています。その中でも京都大学iPS細胞研究所を起源とするサイアスの免疫細胞分化方法は世界有数の技術です。サイアスは日本で産まれ、培われた技術を基に、世界最先端の遺伝子・細胞療法市場、巨大な資本市場、そして優秀な人材へのアクセスが可能な米国に進出し、グローバル企業への第一歩を踏み出してまいります。
〈採用情報〉
サイアスではiPS細胞、免疫細胞療法、ゲノム編集技術、その他、治験や細胞の商業生産等に携わる国内外の優秀な人材を募集しています。
採用: https://thyas.co.jp/join/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thyas/
【サイアス株式会社について】
サイアスは、「京都大学iPS細胞研究所（CiRA）」金子新教授の研究成果を元に、iPS細胞由来の免疫細胞（T細胞やNK細胞等）の臨床応用に向けた研究開発を進める京都大学発ベンチャーです。近年、免疫チェックポイント阻害薬やキメラ抗原受容体遺伝子導入T細胞（CAR-T）等のがん免疫療法が大きな効果をあげています。しかし末期患者の免疫細胞は疲弊状態にあるため拡大培養が困難であり、固形がんの治療においては安全かつ十分な奏効は未だ実現していません。サイアスの技術は、同種iPS細胞からT細胞やＮＫ細胞等の各種免疫細胞へと分化させることで、その疲弊状態を解除し、腫瘍に対する高い攻撃力を回復した元気な免疫細胞を大量に、安価に得ることを可能にします。
URL: https://thyas.co.jp/
【Eight Roads Venturesについて】
Eight Roads Venturesは大手資産運用会社のフィデリティの資金を基に投資を行うベンチャーキャピタルファンドです。ヘルスケア領域を含む革新的技術や高い成長が見込まれる企業へ、米国、欧州、アジア、イスラエルなどでグローバルに投資活動を行っています。業界に対する知見とグローバルなネットワークを最大限に活用し、投資先に対してハンズオンで経営を支援し続けています。
URL: https://eightroads.com/en/
【F-Prime Capital Partnersについて】
F-Prime Capital Partnersは米国、欧州を拠点に世界中でヘルスケアやテクノロジー分野に投資を行うベンチャーキャピタルで、Eight Roads Venturesの姉妹ファンドです。ヘルスケア領域での長年の実績とEight Roads Venturesとの連携により、米国・欧州のみならず世界中で投資を行っています。
URL: https://fprimecapital.com
【D3 LLCについて】
2017年に創業した、ヘルスケア領域特化の、投資・事業・コンサルティング会社です。「世界の医療健康への貢献」をミッションに、有望な科学技術シーズや事業アイデアへの資金提供(Discovery)に留まらず、経営者と伴に、有意義なプロダクト・サービスの創造とそれらを顧客に届けるためのビジネスモデルの構築(Development)を通じて、科学技術・アイデアの社会実装(Deployment)を志します。ベンチャーキャピタルに関しては、投資の数を目的とせず、バイオヘルスケア領域のグローバル・スタンダードに従い、少数の投資先に丁寧な支援を行います。
URL: https://www.d3growth.com/jp/
【問い合わせ先】
サイアス株式会社（五ノ坪）
Tel:（075）752-1555
Email: info@thyas.co.jp
Thyas Co. Ltd., a Kyoto University spin-off, Closes JPY 2.1B Series B Financing from Eight Roads Ventures/F-Prime to Develop Novel iPSC-derived Immune Cell Platform
— Financing supports advancement of development for various immune cell therapy platforms, including T cells, NK cells, and other immune cells, derived from hypoimmunogenic iPSC, and establishment of a bridgehead in the U.S.A. for global expansion —
Kyoto, Japan, February 21, 2022— Thyas Co. Ltd., a Kyoto-based biotechnology company developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived immune cell therapies for cancer and infectious diseases, announced today the closing of JPY 2.1B Series B financing. The financing was co-led by Eight Roads Ventures Japan and F-Prime Capital Partners, the world's leading healthcare investor group, with follow-on participation by D3 LLC, a Japanese investor specialized in the bio-healthcare field.
Thyas, a Kyoto University spin-off, is pioneering producing iPS cell-derived T cells for the treatment of cancers and infectious diseases. In recent years, autologous CAR-T therapies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy. However, many challenges still remain for the production of sufficient numbers for clinical and commercial operations since quantity and quality of patient-derived T cells vary. Thyas’ technology, originated by Dr. Shin Kaneko, a professor at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Japan, makes it possible to manufacture a large number of iPSC-derived immune cells with potent cytotoxicity and large proliferative capacity, which demonstrate significant efficacy and persistency in vivo. The therapeutic benefits are expected to be treating patients with no/few or exhausted immune cells, breaking through an immunosuppressive microenvironment with large numbers of immune cells, and completely removing cancer cells. Thyas is one of a few companies in the world that successfully established robust differentiation technologies to generate potent CD8ab expressing killer T cells, which have strong avidity to target tumor cells and enhanced migratory activities into tumor cites.
Proceeds from the financing will support the continuing development of iPSC-derived killer T cells, iPSC-derived CAR-NK cells recently-added to its portfolio of product candidates, and other exploratory-stage iPSC-derived immune cells. Thyas also initiates development of the next generation products from hypoimmunogenic iPSC. The financing and other supports from F-Prime and Eight Roads will also enable Thyas to expand its team to support the company’s future growth, including establishment of operations in the U.S.A, where Thyas seeks candidates of executives, Sr./Jr. scientists, medical experts, and other experts in the field. Meanwhile, the Kyoto site continues to expand its R&D capacities. F-Prime and Eight Roads will give Thyas strategic advices for the company’s growth and proactive support for syndicating next financing rounds.
“We are gratified to share with this exceptional investor group our vision that we bring the novel cell therapies to patients to cure solid cancers,” said Yasumichi Hitoshi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thyas. “With help from F-Prime and Eight Roads, we can leverage the most advanced iPSC-to-immune cell differentiation technologies stemmed from our geographical advantages, i.e. Kyoto University, the Mecca of iPS Cell research, and combine them with the world’s topmost biotech infrastructure and a talent pool in the U.S.A. We are going to be a genuine international company.”
About Thyas Co. Ltd.
Founded in 2015, Thyas is a Kyoto University spinoff that promotes R&D for the clinical application of iPS cell-derived immune cells based on the researches by Dr. Shin Kaneko at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University. Dr. Kaneko, the founder of Thyas, is the world’s first scientist to demonstrate T cell differentiation from human iPSC and in vitro/in vivo efficacy in 2013. Thyas is the pioneer of iPSC-to-T-cell differentiation technologies in the world, and the platformer to produce various immune cells to transduce any TCRs or CARs of interest. Thyas is looking for talented people worldwide to join its endeavor to make solid cancers curable diseases.
URL: https://thyas.co.jp/en
Careers: https://thyas.co.jp/en/join/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thyas/jobs
About Eight Roads Ventures
Eight Roads Ventures is a global investment firm backed by Fidelity. Eight Roads Ventures invests in high-quality, high-growth companies in Asia, Europe, Israel, and the US, focusing on healthcare, technology, and consumers. Eight Roads is committed to making the companies it invests in leaders in their industries through access to patient capital, a robust network of resources, and a team of investment professionals with a proven track record of success.
URL: https://eightroads.com/en/
About F-Prime Capital Partners
F-Prime Capital is a global venture capital firm investing in healthcare and technology. For the past 50 years, our independent venture capital group has had the privilege of backing great entrepreneurs building groundbreaking companies. With over two billion dollars under management and a global portfolio of more than 200 companies, we champion those dedicated to creating positive change in the world. F-Prime is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in London, UK and San Francisco, CA.
URL: https://fprimecapital.com/
About D3 LLC.
D3 LLC is a Japanese investment and consulting firm specializing in the healthcare domain. With the mission of "contributing to the global health from Japan," D3 LLC not only provides funding for promising scientific and technological discovery or business ideas, but also works closely with entrepreneurs to develop impactful products and services and build vital business models to deploy them globally. D3 LLCs’ professionals are with both business and science acumen and global networks to enable the mission.
URL: https://www.d3growth.com
CONTACT:
Ryo Gonotsubo
Representative Director, COO/CFO
Thyas Co. Ltd.
Tel: 81 (75) 752-1555
Email: info@thyas.co.jp