Japan-based cellular technology developer ThinkCyte closed a $15.3m series A round today featuring leasing services provider Fuyo General Lease and trading group Itochu, which invested through Itochu Technology Ventures.
Asset manager Sparx Group led the round, which included financial services group SBI, Real Tech Fund and Osaka University Venture Capital. The latter two took part as existing investors, and ThinkCyte said it has now raised $18.5m in total.
ThinkCyte has created a single-cell sorting system it calls Ghost Cytometry, which utilises microfluidics, advanced imaging and machine learning technology, and which can be used in cell therapy development and drug screening activities.
The funding will go to product development and international growth as ThinkCyte looks to increase its research collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies.
Tsuyoshi Ogawa, a partner at Itochu Technology Ventures, said: “Ghost Cytometry has the potential to drastically change single cell analysis and advance cell-based treatments and diagnostics.
“We believe that ThinkCyte’s team delivers on its commitments and will help millions of patients around the world by providing innovative platforms.”
