CoreTissue BioEngineering (CTBE) is a 2016 startup founded to commercialise Professor Kiyotaka Iwasaki’s “tissue-regenerative ligament device.” The device employs bovine tendons as a scaffold, eliminating the need to harvest autologous grafts when reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a common injury among athletes in high-impact sports. By avoiding additional surgical sites, CTBE aims to shorten recovery times and reduce patient burden. The company is now moving from academic research toward full product commercialisation and clinical adoption. On 10 November it secured ¥600 million in new funding, indicating growing investor confidence in its technology. The latest capital injection brings strategic backing from food major Nippon Ham alongside financial support from Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital’s investment partnership. The company has not yet disclosed revenue figures or user metrics, but the fresh funds are expected to accelerate product development and regulatory preparations.

Total raised

$4M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jan 2026