Sparx has returned to lead the OUVC-backed cell-based therapeutic technology developer’s series B round, which brought its overall funding to almost $45m.
ThinkCyte, a Japan-based cellular treatment developer backed by Osaka University, raised ¥2.85bn ($26m) in a series B round yesterday led by asset manager Sparx’s Mirai Creation Fund 2.
Trading group Itochu’s corporate venturing arm Itochu Technology Ventures, healthcare provider Sysmex Corporation and financial services firms SBI Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust’s Japan Co-Invest vehicle took part in the round, which lifted the company’s total funding to nearly $45m.
Founded in 2016, ThinkCyte is developing advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and machine learning-equipped high-speed cell sorting technology using the research conducted at University of Tokyo and Osaka University.
ThinkCyte had secured $18.5m in total as of a series A tranche of undisclosed size in May 2020 led by Mirai Creation Fund, which helped the company close the round at $15.4m.
The second close included Osaka University Venture Capital (OUVC), SBI, Itochu Technology Ventures, Real Tech Fund and leasing services provider Fuyo General Leasing. OUVC and Real Tech Fund were identified as returning backers.
