Senno Therapeutics Accelerates Development of Cell Therapy Using iPS Cell-Derived Hepatoblast Cells
Senno Therapeutics, a Tokyo-based bioventure, is developing innovative cell therapies for fatal liver diseases using its proprietary allogeneic iPS cell-derived hepatoblast cells. Having raised 750 million JPY, the company plans to use the funds to advance non-clinical development and clinical trial preparations for its lead pipeline, SEN-001, aiming to address critical unmet medical needs in liver failure.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:37
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 02:24 (15h 22m after Collected)
Aiming to resolve unmet medical needs in the field of liver failure, Senno Therapeutics, Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative Director & CEO: Tomieko Mori, hereinafter "our company"), which is developing innovative treatments for fatal liver diseases through cell therapy using its proprietary allogeneic iPS cell-derived hepatoblast cells, has conducted a fundraising to accelerate development.
Our company was established based on the research results of Professor Hideki Taniguchi (field of regenerative medicine) at the Center for Stem Cell Therapy Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, and is engaged in the development of new cell therapy using hepatoblast cells differentiated from allogeneic iPS cells. Our lead pipeline, "SEN-001," aims to supplement and restore lost liver function for severe liver diseases with limited existing treatment options, such as Chronic Liver Failure with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF).
This fundraising was conducted through a third-party allotment of new shares, with existing investor Saisei Ventures leading additional investment as the lead investor, and new participation from One Capital and Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd. This brings our cumulative fundraising amount to 750 million JPY.
These funds will be utilized to advance non-clinical development and preparations for clinical trials.
Furthermore, our company has also been selected for the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) "Enhancing the Drug Discovery Venture Ecosystem" program, and together with this funding, we will further accelerate research and development.
Moving forward, our company will continue to deliver new options to patients who have not had sufficient treatment options to date, through the social implementation of regenerative medicine technology.
[Investor Comments]
"We highly value Senno's progress to date and the strength of its underlying science. We believe the company's innovative approach has the potential to address significant unmet medical needs," said Jonathan Yeo, Managing General Partner at Saisei Ventures.
Ms. Yukako Yokota, Partner at One Capital, stated, "We have high expectations for the innovative technology utilizing iPS cells and the highly specialized team, and we will support their future growth." Mr. Keisuke Omori, Investment Manager at Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd., also commented, "We highly appreciate their challenge against the serious disease of liver failure based on Japanese iPS cell science, and as the Mizuho Group, we will support them."
[Representative's Comment]
"We sincerely thank all the investors who participated in this round. Utilizing these funds and AMED's support, we will steadily advance the transition from non-clinical development to clinical trials and work to deliver new treatments to patients as quickly as possible."
What are Allogeneic iPS Cell-Derived Hepatoblast Cells (Hepatoblast) or SEN-001?
SEN-001 is a cell therapy using hepatoblast cells differentiated from allogeneic iPS cells. Hepatoblasts are progenitor cells with the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes, and are expected to engraft and proliferate in the liver after in vivo administration, contributing to the supplementation and recovery of liver function.
Furthermore, they can be cultured on a large scale and cryopreserved while maintaining homogeneity, aiming for deployment as an off-the-shelf type therapy with stable supply.
About Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF)
This is a severe condition in patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, where liver function rapidly declines due to triggers like infection or alcohol consumption, leading to multi-organ failure. The mortality rate within 28 days of onset is reported to be 30-40%, carrying a high mortality risk over a short period.
While the number of patients is increasing globally, the only fundamental treatment at present is liver transplantation, and due to challenges such as donor shortages, the development of alternative treatments is strongly sought.
About Senno Therapeutics (https://sennotx.com)
Senno Therapeutics is a bio-venture company developing new therapeutic methods for fatal liver failure using technologies for human iPS cell-derived liver progenitor cells and liver organoids. It was established in 2024 based on the research results of Professor Hideki Taniguchi et al. at the Center for Stem Cell Therapy Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, concerning human iPS cell-derived liver progenitor cells (hepatoblasts). The company aims to establish innovative cell therapy to save liver failure patients who die while awaiting organ transplantation.
Company Name: Senno Therapeutics, Inc.
Location: Tokyo
Representative: Tomieko Mori, Representative Director & CEO
Established: 2024
URL: https://sennotx.com
Our company was established based on the research results of Professor Hideki Taniguchi (field of regenerative medicine) at the Center for Stem Cell Therapy Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, and is engaged in the development of new cell therapy using hepatoblast cells differentiated from allogeneic iPS cells. Our lead pipeline, "SEN-001," aims to supplement and restore lost liver function for severe liver diseases with limited existing treatment options, such as Chronic Liver Failure with Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF).
This fundraising was conducted through a third-party allotment of new shares, with existing investor Saisei Ventures leading additional investment as the lead investor, and new participation from One Capital and Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd. This brings our cumulative fundraising amount to 750 million JPY.
These funds will be utilized to advance non-clinical development and preparations for clinical trials.
Furthermore, our company has also been selected for the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) "Enhancing the Drug Discovery Venture Ecosystem" program, and together with this funding, we will further accelerate research and development.
Moving forward, our company will continue to deliver new options to patients who have not had sufficient treatment options to date, through the social implementation of regenerative medicine technology.
[Investor Comments]
"We highly value Senno's progress to date and the strength of its underlying science. We believe the company's innovative approach has the potential to address significant unmet medical needs," said Jonathan Yeo, Managing General Partner at Saisei Ventures.
Ms. Yukako Yokota, Partner at One Capital, stated, "We have high expectations for the innovative technology utilizing iPS cells and the highly specialized team, and we will support their future growth." Mr. Keisuke Omori, Investment Manager at Mizuho Capital Co., Ltd., also commented, "We highly appreciate their challenge against the serious disease of liver failure based on Japanese iPS cell science, and as the Mizuho Group, we will support them."
[Representative's Comment]
"We sincerely thank all the investors who participated in this round. Utilizing these funds and AMED's support, we will steadily advance the transition from non-clinical development to clinical trials and work to deliver new treatments to patients as quickly as possible."
What are Allogeneic iPS Cell-Derived Hepatoblast Cells (Hepatoblast) or SEN-001?
SEN-001 is a cell therapy using hepatoblast cells differentiated from allogeneic iPS cells. Hepatoblasts are progenitor cells with the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes, and are expected to engraft and proliferate in the liver after in vivo administration, contributing to the supplementation and recovery of liver function.
Furthermore, they can be cultured on a large scale and cryopreserved while maintaining homogeneity, aiming for deployment as an off-the-shelf type therapy with stable supply.
About Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF)
This is a severe condition in patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis, where liver function rapidly declines due to triggers like infection or alcohol consumption, leading to multi-organ failure. The mortality rate within 28 days of onset is reported to be 30-40%, carrying a high mortality risk over a short period.
While the number of patients is increasing globally, the only fundamental treatment at present is liver transplantation, and due to challenges such as donor shortages, the development of alternative treatments is strongly sought.
About Senno Therapeutics (https://sennotx.com)
Senno Therapeutics is a bio-venture company developing new therapeutic methods for fatal liver failure using technologies for human iPS cell-derived liver progenitor cells and liver organoids. It was established in 2024 based on the research results of Professor Hideki Taniguchi et al. at the Center for Stem Cell Therapy Research, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, concerning human iPS cell-derived liver progenitor cells (hepatoblasts). The company aims to establish innovative cell therapy to save liver failure patients who die while awaiting organ transplantation.
Company Name: Senno Therapeutics, Inc.
Location: Tokyo
Representative: Tomieko Mori, Representative Director & CEO
Established: 2024
URL: https://sennotx.com