Biotech Research RegCell Raises $66M in Total Funding

The Series A also included Global Brain, Mitsui Chemicals, LG Technology Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Medical Incubator Japan, Fast Track Initiative, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC), Osaka University Venture Capital, and Kyoto iCAP.

RegCell plans to use the funding to advance its epigenetic reprogramming platform into clinical-stage development, expand its clinical pipeline with additional Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies, and accelerate its second-generation platform technology.

What is RegCell?

RegCell develops therapies designed to restore immune tolerance for people with autoimmune diseases.

Its platform uses epigenetic reprogramming to distinguish disease-causing immune cells from healthy ones. Instead of broadly suppressing the immune system, the technology is designed to convert pathogenic T cells into stable, disease-relevant regulatory T cells (Tregs).

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These Tregs are intended to help restore immune tolerance while preserving normal immune function.

How Much Funding Has RegCell Raised?

RegCell has raised $66 million in total funding, including:

• $44 million Series A financing
• $22 million non-dilutive funding from AMED

The latest AMED award brings the agency's total non-dilutive funding commitment to RegCell to approximately $59.3 million (¥9.0 billion).

In 2024, AMED awarded RegCell approximately $37.3 million (¥5.6 billion) to develop the first generation of its epigenetic reprogramming platform through clinical proof-of-concept in autoimmune liver diseases.

Who Invested in RegCells Series A Round?

The Series A was led by Playground Global.

Participating investors included:

• Global Brain
• Mitsui Chemicals
• LG Technology Ventures
• Alumni Ventures
• Medical Incubator Japan
• Fast Track Initiative
• The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)
• Osaka University Venture Capital
• Kyoto iCAP

RegCell also received approximately $22 million in non-dilutive funding from AMED.

Why the Funding Matters

RegCell plans to use the new funding to advance its platform into clinical-stage development across multiple autoimmune indications.

The company will also use the capital to expand its clinical pipeline through additional Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies and accelerate its second-generation technology.

The AMED funding will support the development of the second-generation platform, which is designed to convert pathogenic T cells into lineage-stable, antigen-specific Tregs.

Who founded RegCell?

RegCell was founded in 2016.

The company was co-founded by Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, whose Nobel Prize-winning research forms the scientific basis of RegCell's immune tolerance platform.

RegCell is headquartered in Emeryville, California.

Market and Business Growth

RegCell is developing a platform aimed at treating autoimmune diseases through targeted immune tolerance rather than broad immune suppression.

The company has received two AMED awards, with total non-dilutive funding commitments from the agency reaching approximately $59.3 million.

Its current development efforts include advancing its first-generation platform toward clinical proof-of-concept and expanding its pipeline with additional Phase 2 studies.

What Happens Next?

RegCell will focus on advancing its epigenetic reprogramming platform into clinical-stage development and expanding its autoimmune disease pipeline.

The company will also accelerate development of its second-generation platform technology and pursue additional Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies.

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