Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP No.1 Fund"), with Kyoto University Innovation Capital Corporation ("Kyoto iCAP") (Head office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Koji Murota) as unlimited liability partner, has made an additional investment in Sias Inc. ("Sias") (Head office: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Yasumichi Todo), a venture company that utilizes the results of research at Kyoto University.

Execution of Investment in 0sias
Sias is a regenerative medicine venture that regenerates T cells using human iPS cells based on the patient's own cytotoxic T cells (killer T cells, CTL) and aims to commercialize T cell therapy for cancer and infectious diseases. Killer T cells infiltrated into tumor tissue and peripheral blood of patients have the ability to recognize and specifically injure cancer cells, and are expected to have anti-tumor effects when cultured, proliferated, and transplanted, but it is difficult to culture and proliferate them outside the body. By initializing killer T cells into iPS cells, it is possible to differentiate and induce killer T cells with cytotoxic activity again, and to proliferate them in large numbers. With this technology, Sias aims to realize the world's first immunotherapy using regenerated T cells (T-iPS cells).

The company has entered into a joint research agreement with the Kaneko Laboratory (Associate Professor Arata Kaneko) of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, to license a wide range of T-iPS cell-related technologies based on papers such as "Generation of Rejuvenated Antigen-Specific T Cells by Reprogramming to Pluripotency and The company has licensed a wide range of T-iPS cell-related technologies based on papers such as "Generation of Rejuvenated Antigen-Specific T Cells by Reprogramming to Pluripotency and Redifferentiation" (Cell Stem Cell), and is developing T-iPS cells for use in autologous therapies.

Kyoto iCAP has recognized the social significance of Sias' challenge to deliver regenerative T-cell therapy to patients as soon as possible as an approach to cancer immunotherapy, an approach that has been highly anticipated in recent years, using iPS cell technology, one of Kyoto University's most important research achievements. In recognition of the social significance of Sias' challenge to deliver regenerative T-cell therapy to patients as soon as possible, the Company has made an additional investment of 150 million yen to fund further R&D and preparations for pre-clinical trials.

Sias Overview

Establishment	August 24, 2015
Business	Innovative cell therapeutics for cancer by T-iPSC
Head Office Location	Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
President & CEO	etc.