Participated · Seed · Mar 2022

ElevationSpace is developing the ELS-R series re-entry satellites and the ELS-RS high-frequency cargo recovery service to return payloads from orbit to Earth. The company is close to completing assembly of AOBA, its first private re-entry satellite and the inaugural ELS-R model. ElevationSpace leverages Japan’s small-satellite lift-guided re-entry expertise for returning payloads and crew from space. It has pursued global partnerships, including an agreement with Axiom Space and plans to integrate Redwire’s biopharma technology into its platform. Financially, the company has raised $63.5 million in total after securing $40 million in its Series B. Management framed the funding as supporting expansion of domestic and international business and service development under its vision of building an in-orbit transportation network.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2021

Metcela is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Kanagawa, Japan, developing first-in-class autologous cell therapies targeting serious cardiovascular diseases. Established in 2016, the company focuses on fibroblast and stem cell–based therapies for chronic diseases with limited treatment options. Metcela is advancing MTC001, a combination product of autologous cardiac cells (VCAM-1-positive Cardiac Fibroblast, VCF) paired with a novel catheter delivery system for chronic heart failure patients. The company recently closed a $14M Series C financing to support its plans. Proceeds will be used to prepare for commercialization by establishing manufacturing infrastructure, to strengthen new pipeline development capabilities, and to reinforce R&D by expanding research facilities. Metcela is positioning to move its clinical programs toward commercialization while expanding its research and manufacturing capacity. Metcela is a clinical-stage biotech founded in 2016 in Kanagawa, Japan, focused on developing fibroblast-based therapies for chronic diseases with limited options. Its lead asset, MTC001, is a VCAM-1-positive Cardiac Fibroblast (VCF) cell therapy that re-established a favorable microenvironment and repaired damaged heart tissues in preclinical studies. MTC001 uses a simple hospital-to-manufacturing-site-to-hospital workflow; VCF is collected from a cardiac biopsy in a minimally invasive manner. The company says VCF has significant manufacturing and safety advantages over alternative approaches. The $12.7M Series B enables Metcela to initiate Phase I clinical trials in Japan. Metcela intends to use the funds to grow its team and expand its portfolio. Metcela is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing fibroblast-based cell therapies. Its lead product, MTC001, is a fibroblast-based therapy intended to treat chronic heart failure. Through preclinical research the company identified VCAM-1-positive cardiac fibroblasts (VCFs) that stimulate cardiomyocyte proliferation and improve cardiac function via lymphangiogenesis. Metcela plans to accelerate clinical development of MTC001 and initiate a Phase I clinical trial. The company closed a ¥430m (≈$4m) Series B to support these efforts. Metcela is led by Co-CEOs Takahiro Iwamiya and Kenichi Nogami and recently appointed Kenji Yamada as an outside director.