Shinobi Therapeutics
Overview
Shinobi Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing immune evasive cell therapies using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Established in 2023 and headquartered in South San Francisco, California, with additional facilities in Kyoto, Japan, the company focuses on creating therapies that leverage iPSCs for treating various cancers and other diseases. The company was co-founded by Dan Kemp along with scientific pioneers Shin Kaneko and Tobias Deuse. Recently, Shinobi Therapeutics has seen significant financial backing, raising $51 million in a Series A funding round led by prominent investors like EQT Life Sciences, F-Prime Capital, and Eight Roads Ventures Japan.
Recent Developments
- August 2024: Shinobi Therapeutics announced receiving a $59 million non-dilutive grant from the Japanese Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). This funding supports the development of its lead iPS-T cell program targeting GPC3+ tumors. Furthermore, Yosemite and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital have joined its investor syndicate, boosting Shinobi's total funding to $119 million.
- April 2024: Shinobi Therapeutics partnered with Panasonic Holdings Corp and Kyoto University's Center for iPS Cell Research and Application to advance efficient and cost-effective iPS cell therapy manufacturing technology.
- December 2023: The company successfully closed a $51 million Series A financing round. The funds are aimed at advancing the 'Katana' iPS-T cell therapy platform and preparing its first therapeutic program for clinical trials targeting solid tumors.
Company Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | 2023 |
| Headquarters | South San Francisco, CA, USA; Kyoto, Japan |
| Founders | Dan Kemp, Shin Kaneko, Tobias Deuse |
| Key Investors | EQT Life Sciences, F-Prime Capital, Eight Roads Ventures Japan, Astellas Venture Management |
| Industry | Biotechnology |
| Total Funding | $119 million |
Early History
Founded in 2023, Shinobi Therapeutics emerged as a merger between biotech experts from Kyoto, Japan and the Bay Area, USA. The company's establishment was marked by the intention to leverage its founders' extensive research in stem cell technology, particularly the immune evasive potential of iPSCs. Shin Kaneko and Tobias Deuse's research laid the groundwork for Shinobi's innovative approaches, aligning with Dan Kemp's expertise in biotech ventures. Their collaboration aimed to pioneer solutions in immune rejection, a significant hurdle in precision medicine, particularly in oncology.
Company Profile and Achievements
Shinobi Therapeutics focuses on developing a new class of immune evasive iPS-T cell therapies. Their signature platform, termed 'Katana', aims to create off-the-shelf cell therapies that enhance immune system compatibility, thus bypassing the need for immunosuppressive drugs. The iPSCs are engineered to evade immune detection, addressing one of the primary limitations of traditional cell therapies — allo-rejection. Since its inception, Shinobi has made significant strides, including securing robust investor backing and entering notable partnerships, all geared towards accelerating their clinical research and development initiatives.
Current Operations and Market Position
Currently, Shinobi Therapeutics is advancing its research and preclinical trials in immune evasive iPSCs with a central focus on oncology therapeutics. The company's strategic alliances, particularly with technological heavyweight Panasonic, underscore its commitment to scaling manufacturing techniques that can potentially lower production costs and enhance therapy accessibility. Shinobi's market position is considerably bolstered by its cutting-edge technology platform and robust investment portfolio, which collectively empower it to address some of the most challenging aspects of current cell therapies.
Shinobi Therapeutics Funding
In its short time since founding, Shinobi Therapeutics secured a notable $51 million in Series A funding. This financial milestone was facilitated by EQT Life Sciences, F-Prime Capital, Eight Roads Ventures Japan, and others, enabling Shinobi to accelerate its research and development of hypoimmune cell therapies. The funds are instrumental as the company targets solid tumor cancers and expands collaborations with academic and industry pioneers.
Shinobi Therapeutics Series A
The completion of Shinobi's $51 million Series A financing round in December 2023 was a strategic financial backing that underscored substantial confidence in their iPSC technology. Led by prominent investors, this funding round supports Shinobi's aim to develop therapies that integrate seamlessly with patient's immune systems, marking a progressive leap in therapeutic innovation.
Conclusion
Shinobi Therapeutics has rapidly positioned itself as a pivotal player in the biotech industry, driven by its groundbreaking use of immune evasive iPSC technology. Its focus on transforming the therapeutic landscape for hard-to-treat cancers underscores its potential impact and industry significance. As Shinobi continues its journey, its innovations are poised to not only redefine therapeutic approaches for solid tumors but also set new benchmarks in cell therapy standards. With its operational expansions, strategic collaborations, and robust investment, Shinobi Therapeutics is on a promising trajectory towards becoming a leader in next-generation therapeutic solutions.