Rege Nephro Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Representative Director: Toshihiro Ishikiriyama, hereinafter referred to as “RegeNephro”) is pleased to announce that it has raised a total of 360 million yen through a third-party allotment. At the same time, we have entered into a business alliance agreement with FUJIFILM Corporation.

To raise funds this time, Investment Limited Partnership operated by Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd., Investment Limited Partnership operated by JAFCO Co., Ltd., FUJIFILM Co., Ltd., National Research and Development Corporation Science and Technology Agency and Investment Limited Partnership operated by Kyogin Lease Capital Co., Ltd. are participating.

RegeNephro is a venture company established in September 2019 based on the research results of Prof. Kenji Osafune of the Research Institute for Proliferation and Differentiation of Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University (CiRA). With the discovery of renal progenitor cells for the first time in the world, Professor Osafune has succeeded in establishing technologies for highly efficient production of renal progenitor cells from iPS cells, expansion culture technology for these cells, and cryopreservation technology. It was.

The number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing with the aging of society, and the number of CKD patients is 13% of the adult population in Japan, reaching about 13 million. There are no effective medicines or treatment techniques for the treatment of CKD at this time, and symptomatic treatment is the only option. As CKD worsens, artificial dialysis becomes necessary, but the number of patients undergoing artificial dialysis is increasing year by year, and the medical cost exceeds 1.5 trillion yen annually. There is an urgent social need to develop technology to improve the symptoms of CKD and reduce the number of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The iPS cell-derived renal progenitor cells invented by Professor Osafune have shown the effect of significantly improving renal damage in animal experiments. RegeNephro will continue to work on the practical application of cell medicines containing iPS cell-derived renal progenitor cells as the active ingredient, and aim to obtain approval for CKD as an indication.

RegeNephro has licensed several patents related to iPS cells and iPS cell-derived renal progenitor cells for which Kyoto University is the applicant. In addition, we have a comprehensive joint research agreement with Kyoto University, and Professor Osafune is also a director of RegeNephro.

In addition, RegeNephro has signed a business alliance agreement with FUJIFILM Corporation. Under this agreement, FUJIFILM Corporation has been granted preferential negotiation rights regarding contract development and manufacturing of regenerative medicine products using iPS cell-derived renal progenitor cells in the United States and domestic sales of cells for drug discovery support.

RegeNephro believes that the financing and the conclusion of the IP and business alliance agreement have secured sufficient resources to start research and development of cell therapy using iPS cell-derived renal progenitor cells. RegeNephro will accelerate its business under the mission of improving the quality of life (QOL) of patients suffering from kidney disease and contributing to society.

＜Outline of RegeNephro＞

Rege Nephro Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Toshihiro Ishikiriyama
Address: MIC blds. Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Business activities: R&D, production, and sales of therapeutic drugs for renal diseases
Established: September 2019
URL: https://regenephro.co.jp

＜Overview of Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.＞

Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Ko Kusumi
Address: 36-1, Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Business: Investing in venture companies that utilize the research results of Kyoto University
Established: December 2014
URL: https://www.kyoto-unicap.co.jp/

＜Overview of JAFCO Co., Ltd.＞

JAFCO Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Shinichi Fuki
Address: 1-23-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business description: JAFCO supports high-growth companies that carry out innovative and creative management, by supplying risk capital according to the stage, committing to management and business expansion and improving the corporate value. Since its foundation in 1973, we have always been with leading entrepreneurs. In March 2020, we completed the formation of the largest domestic venture capital fund of 80 billion yen. The cumulative commitment of investment funds in Japan and overseas has exceeded 1 trillion yen, and the cumulative number of investee companies listed has reached 1,006.
URL: http://www.jafco.co.jp/

＜Overview of FUJIFILM Corporation＞

FUJIFILM Corporation
Chairman and CEO: Shigetaka Komori, President and COO: Kenji Sukeno
Address: 9-7-3 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business: Development, manufacturing, sales and service of imaging solutions (digital cameras, instant photo systems, etc.) and healthcare & materials solutions (medical system equipment, pharmaceuticals, display materials, etc.)
URL: https://www.fujifilm.com/jp/

＜Overview of Japan Science and Technology Agency＞

Japan Science and Technology Agency
Chairman: Michinari Hamaguchi
Address: K’s Gobancho, 7 Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JST Entrepreneurship Support Office)
Business description: The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) is an organization that plays a central role in the national science and technology basic plan. The JST Entrepreneurship Support Office is implementing the “Investment-type New Business Creation Support Program” (SUCCESS). In this project, JST will invest in a venture company aiming to put JST’s R & D results to practical use, and by utilizing the JST network to provide human and technical assistance, it will promote its creation and growth. The purpose is to promote the practical application and social return of JST’s R & D results through the business activities of the venture company. By investing in JST and becoming a shareholder of a venture company, we are also aiming for a “priming effect” that attracts private funds.
URL: https://www.jst.go.jp/entre/

＜Overview of Kyogin Lease Capital Co., Ltd.＞

Kyogin Lease Capital Co., Ltd.
President: Hiroshi Okuno
Address: 731 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shichijo-dori, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Business: Leasing business, investment business such as stocks and corporate bonds, initial public offering consulting business
Established: June 1985
URL: https://www.kyotoklc.co.jp

＜Inquiries regarding this matter＞

Katsuhisa Yamaguchi (CFO / General Manager of Finance and Administration Division)
TEL: 075-708-3275
E-mail: info@regenephro.co.jp