Dioseve Secures Over 1 Billion Yen in Series A Financing Round

Dioseve, a groundbreaking startup based in Koto City, Tokyo, has successfully concluded an impressive Series A funding round, raising over 1 billion yen. This significant capital injection has been spearheaded by existing investor Archetype Ventures and further supported by DG Daiwa Ventures and Mirai Door (Asuka Innovation Fund). Notably, Dioseve has also welcomed new participating investors, including D4V, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., and Pangaea Ventures, thus marking a noteworthy expansion in its investor landscape.

The total amount raised through this round, along with previous funding, elevates Dioseve's cumulative equity financing to an astounding 2.5 billion yen. This capital will primarily be directed towards operationalizing its innovative in vitro maturation (IVM) product, "ReproNest,” which leverages iPS cell differentiation technology.

In addition to its funding success, Dioseve recently achieved a significant accolade by being selected for the 8th round of the NEDO Deep Tech Startup Support Project (DTSU). This inclusion brings the total funds raised through various initiatives to 2.9 billion yen, further solidifying the company’s financial footing. Moreover, Dioseve is excited to announce the appointment of Professor Katsuhiro Hayashi, a globally recognized expert in reproductive medicine and developmental biology from Osaka University, as their technology advisor. This collaboration is expected to enhance Dioseve's research foundations significantly.

Background on Funding

Dioseve is committed to advancing reproductive medicine by developing co-culture products that support the maturation of immature oocytes using ovarian support-like cells derived from iPS cells. Unlike traditional cell therapies that involve direct cell injection into patients, ReproNest aims to create an optimal environment for oocyte maturation during in vitro fertilization (IVF) processes. Utilizing proprietary iPS cell differentiation technology, Dioseve aims to enhance the efficiency of IVM processes.

Preclinical studies have shown promising results, highlighting ReproNest's potential to support the maturation of immature oocytes more effectively compared to conventional IVM culture conditions. Dioseve is currently working on validating its manufacturing processes, quality evaluation, and reproducibility in preparation for commercialization.

Currently, the IVF process often entails approximately ten days of hormonal stimulation, frequent hospital visits, significant self-injection efforts, and high medication costs, imposing considerable physical and psychological burdens on patients. ReproNest endeavors to mitigate these challenges by integrating short-term hormonal stimulation with in vitro oocyte maturation, ultimately contributing to reduced patient load and easier treatment pathways.

Furthermore, Dioseve envisions the potential applications of ReproNest in fertility preservation, particularly for high-risk patients facing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and those requiring swift preservation of fertility prior to cancer treatments.

With the recent selection for the NEDO DTSU, Dioseve is poised to advance with even more rigorous product validation, manufacturing infrastructure establishment, and compliance with domestic and international regulations to push its business development forward.

Appointment of Professor Katsuhiro Hayashi

The company is thrilled to announce the appointment of Professor Katsuhiro Hayashi as its technical advisor. Professor Hayashi is esteemed in the realms of reproductive medicine and developmental biology, recognized for his numerous pioneering research contributions utilizing iPS cells in reproductive cell studies. His recognition in prestigious lists such as “Nature’s 10” in 2023 and “TIME100” in 2024 underscores his influence and impact.

With Professor Hayashi on board, Dioseve aims to fortify its research foundations and accelerate the social implementation of new options in assisted reproductive technologies.

Company Overview

- Company Name: Dioseve, Inc.
- Location: Shin-Kiba, Koto City, Tokyo
- CEO: Kazuma Kishida
- Business Focus: Development and manufacturing of assisted reproductive technology products leveraging iPS cell differentiation technology
- Website: dioseve.com