Innovation Kyoto 2021 Investment Limited Partnership (hereinafter referred to as "KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund"), whose general partner is Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Kyoto iCAP") (Head Office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Kimi Kusumi), has recently made a seed round investment in Arktus Therapeutics Inc. (Head office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Tomohiro Oiwa), which is working on the practical application of regenerative medicine technology using iPS cell-derived cartilage.

　Arktus is a startup whose founding researchers are Associate Professor Makoto Iketani of the Division of Clinical Application Research at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, and Professor Koichi Nakayama of the Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Saga University School of Medicine. Associate Professor Ikeya and Professor Nakayama have so far conducted joint research and development on "a new treatment method for the creation of artificial joint-type implants using only cells.

　In this project, Associate Professor Ikeya is in charge of developing a technology to produce high-quality mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from iPS cells. Professor Nakayama is in charge of developing technology to differentiate MSCs (iMSCs) from iPS cells into chondrocytes with physical properties equivalent to those of natural cartilage, and to fabricate large-area chondrocyte implants with a 3D printer that can be freely designed and shaped.

　Arktus will first commercialize a new treatment technology for knee osteoarthritis (OA), a condition in which knee cartilage wears away due to a variety of causes, and as the symptoms progress, severe pain makes it difficult to walk. In Japan alone, there are an estimated 8 million patients with OA, and the treatment technology offered by Arktus is expected to provide a fundamental cure for OA by creating and implanting a chondrocyte implant that is tailored to each patient's specific area of damage.

　Kyoto iCAP has been working with Associate Professor Ikeya and Professor Nakayama on the establishment of the startup for several years and has provided various support, including the introduction of Mr. Oiwa, who became the representative director of Arktus, as a potential manager. In addition, Kyoto University provided support for animal experiments using large animals for two years through the Incubation Program, an intramural grant system, and the startup was realized as a result of these efforts.

　The total amount raised in this round was 440 million yen, of which 150 million yen was subscribed by KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund. The round also included investment funds managed by QB Capital Godo Kaisha, Kyoto Capital Partners, MTG Ventures, Investment Lab, and Sagin Capital & Consulting, as well as the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and four individual investors. Investors are also participating.

Arktus Therapeutics co., ltd.　summary
Establishment July 2023
Business Development of artificial joints using iPS cell-derived cartilage
Head office located at 36-1, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Tomohiro Oiwa, Representative Director
HP: https://arktustx.com/

 

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.About
　As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyoto University, Kyoto iCAP invests in and provides other business support to companies that utilize research results generated at Kyoto University and other national universities. The firm currently operates the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP No. 1 Fund") (established in January 2016) with a total value of ¥16 billion and the KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund (established in January 2021) with a total value of ¥18.1 billion. The KYOTO-iCAP 1 Fund has a maturity of up to 20 years, and the KYOTO-iCAP 2 Fund has a maturity of up to 17 years, making it possible to provide long-term support for the practical application of research results from Kyoto University, which has strengths in basic research. The maximum maturity of the KYOTO-iCAP 2 Fund is 17 years. In addition, a portion of the KYOTO-iCAP No. 2 Fund will be invested in national university-launched ventures outside of Kyoto University.

Contact information for inquiries
Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.
36-1, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
Osami Kono, Senior Officer, Business Development Department
info@kyoto-icap.co.jp
TEL: 075-753-7588