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IgAlphan Secures 310 Million Yen in Pre-seed Funding to Advance Innovative Oral IgA Antibody Development

IgAlphan Secures Significant Funding to Revolutionize Gut Health

IgAlphan Co., Ltd., headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, has successfully secured a total of 310 million yen in pre-seed funding. The funding was facilitated through investments from several prominent institutions, including UntroD Capital Japan, led by Akihiko Nagata, and Inspire Investment, under the direction of Ryosuke Takatsuki. This round of funding marks a significant milestone for IgAlphan, raising the total funding amount for this year to 760 million yen, including supports from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Fundraising Overview and Objectives

IgAlphan’s primary mission is to become a leading platform in the prevention and treatment of various diseases through the development of a groundbreaking oral IgA antibody aimed at addressing dysbiosis—the imbalance of gut microbiota. The company has been selected as a beneficiary in the Ministry’s project to support the advancement of drug discovery ecosystems, receiving a grant of 450 million yen in June 2025. By leveraging this funding, IgAlphan is poised to accelerate the development processes, including the production of Research Cell Banks (RCB), as well as processes for development, analysis, and Non-GMP production.

The recently acquired funds will be allocated to the ongoing RCB production, development of manufacturing processes, analysis methods, and vital company functionalities, thereby fast-tracking the development of their unique medical solutions.

About IgAlphan

Founded in April 2022, IgAlphan is dedicated to improving human well-being by fostering a healthy symbiotic relationship between hosts and gut microbiota. The company seeks to commercialize research results from Professor Rieko Shinzō of the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Quantitative Biosciences, focusing on IgA antibodies. Currently, IgAlphan possesses exclusive rights to over 10 patents, including those covering substances, methods, and applications relating to their pioneering work in IgA antibodies. Their innovative manufacturing processes, already patented domestically, will allow for the efficient production of oral IgA multimeric antibodies, marking a trailblazing entry into the enhancement of gut microbiota.

Investor Insights

Akihiko Nagata, CEO of UntroD Capital Japan

The recent discoveries in gut microbiota have highlighted its significant connection to a range of conditions beyond infections and inflammation in the digestive system; it is also associated with immune disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. IgAlphan's development of oral IgA antibodies aims to bind to common metabolic enzyme sequences of harmful bacteria, primarily Gram-negative bacteria, inhibiting their growth and optimizing gut microbiome health. We strongly expect that the implementation of such technology will not only help in combating infectious diseases but also contribute significantly to the treatment and prevention of autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, ultimately enhancing human health.

Manabu Fujimoto, Director of Inspire Investment

IgAlphan is pioneering a new platform that controls the symbiotic relationship between humans and microorganisms, working towards improved health maintenance and disease prevention. Grounded in Professor Shinzō’s IgA antibody research, IgAlphan seeks to transform the gut ecosystem through an innovative approach that presents tremendous commercial potential in both pharmaceuticals and health food sectors. Our fund, dedicated to mutual symbiosis, will support the company's efforts in expanding their food value chain and creating sustainable value through our investment.

Moving forward, we aim to collaborate with the invested parties to contribute to the development of the world’s first oral IgA antibody pharmaceuticals, thus fostering healthy symbiosis between hosts and gut microbiota and ultimately enhancing the well-being of both the planet and humanity.