Japanese medical startup Human Life CORD announced the completion of its Series C funding round on November 25, bringing the total amount raised in the round to 1.9 billion yen (approximately $12 million).
Human Life CORD continues to conduct research and development with the goal of utilizing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) extracted from umbilical cords for regenerative medicine.
Umbilical Cord and MSCs: Potential for Human Body Repair
The umbilical cord connects the fetus to its mother. During fetal development, oxygen and nutrients are supplied through the cord.
Furthermore, attempts have been made to utilize the umbilical cord and the blood remaining within it in medical applications.
In 1999, after a criticality accident (a chain reaction of nuclear fission reactions) occurred at a nuclear fuel facility in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, hematopoietic stem cell transplants were performed for exposed workers, and umbilical cord blood was the cell source for these transplants.
Human Life CORD is attempting to treat human inflammation and tissue damage using MSCs.
Founded in 2017, the company was founded based on the research results of umbilical cord blood banking and cell production by Associate Professor Tokiko Nagamura of the Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo. MSCs are found in various parts of the human body, not just the umbilical cord, and perform the necessary functions of regulating the immune system and repairing tissue when needed.
While MSCs are found throughout the human body, Human Life CORD cites three key reasons for utilizing umbilical cords:
- Donor- and environmentally friendly
- Easy to manufacture as a cell product
- Sustainable and stable supply
Since umbilical cords are removed at birth, they pose little harm to the mother and child and reduce waste. Cell proliferation from umbilical cords is high, making them easy to manufacture. Another advantage is that umbilical cords can be obtained after a baby is born and can be stockpiled.
Human Life CORD explains that it “aims to obtain pharmaceutical approval and commercialize mesenchymal stromal cells as regenerative medicine products, and deliver them to patients and their families in need as soon as possible.” The company is currently in the research and development stage. As described below, the funds raised this time will be used for clinical trials.
Rohto Pharmaceutical and Others Participate in Series C
The Series C round includes participation from companies, individuals, and Human Life CORD’s management team, including strategic investors such as Rohto Pharmaceutical. Rohto Pharmaceutical is known to Japanese consumers for its eye drops and other products.
The funds will be used to prepare for a Phase III clinical trial targeting non-infectious pulmonary complications (NIPCs) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Human Life CORD President and CEO Masamitsu Harata stated that the company will steadily solidify its clinical trial implementation structure, and expressed his ambition to “build on this foundation to further accelerate the creation of a global cell therapy ecosystem centered on Japan and the United States, and bring new options to patients around the world.”
