CellSeed Inc.

Corporate brand

Japanese regenerative medicine company commercializing cell sheet engineering, a Japan-originated technology for creating cell sheets using temperature-responsive culture surfaces.

Last updated September 26, 2026

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Overview

CellSeed Inc. is a Japanese biotechnology venture founded in May 2001 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and now headquartered in the Aomi district of Koto-ku, Tokyo. The company is dedicated to the commercialization of cell sheet engineering, a regenerative medicine technology originating in Japan. Its core technology uses temperature-responsive polymer surfaces, such as the UpCell® cultureware, to allow cultured cells to detach as intact sheets without enzymatic treatment. This enables the creation of cell sheets that can be transplanted to treat diseases and injuries that conventional therapies cannot cure. CellSeed operates two main business segments: cell sheet regenerative medicine and regenerative medicine support. The support segment includes the sale of cell culture equipment such as RepCell®, HydroCell®, and UpCell®, as well as contract development and manufacturing services for cell sheets. The company also conducts clinical trials for cell sheet products, including an esophageal regeneration sheet in Japan and, more recently, an allogeneic chondrocyte cell sheet (CLS2901C) that entered Phase 3 trials in October 2025. CellSeed has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since March 2010, initially on JASDAQ and currently on the Growth Market under the ticker 7776. The company has subsidiaries in Europe (CellSeed Europe in the UK, CellSeed France, and CellSeed Sweden) and had a business alliance with Taiwan's MetaTech (AP) Inc. from 2017 to 2023. It has received manufacturing licenses for specified cell products and regenerative medicine products, and established the Aomi Cell Culture Innovation Center in 2021 to develop and manufacture cell culture equipment. CellSeed positions itself as a pioneer in bringing Japan-originated cell sheet regenerative medicine to patients worldwide. Its mission is to deliver these therapies as quickly as possible, and it continues to advance its product pipeline and partnerships to achieve global adoption.

History

CellSeed Inc. was established on May 9, 2001, in Shinjuku, Tokyo, as a venture company focused on research and development based on cell sheet engineering. The technology, developed by Professor Teruo Okano and colleagues, uses temperature-responsive polymer surfaces to allow cells to detach as intact sheets without enzymatic digestion. In January 2004, CellSeed began selling RepCell®, a temperature-responsive cell cultureware for cell recovery, and HydroCell®, an ultra-low attachment cell cultureware. In September 2007, it launched domestic sales of UpCell®, a temperature-responsive cell cultureware for cell sheet recovery, followed by overseas sales in February 2008. In October 2009, CellSeed signed a joint research and development agreement with Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. (J-TEC). The company went public on the JASDAQ NEO market on March 16, 2010. After the integration of Hercules and the old JASDAQ in October 2010, it moved to JASDAQ Growth. In January 2016, the headquarters was relocated to the Telecom Center in Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo. In August 2016, a clinical trial for an esophageal regeneration sheet began in Japan, and in November 2016, a Cell Culture Center was established at the Telecom Center. In March 2017, CellSeed obtained a license for manufacturing specified cell products, and in April 2017, it entered a business alliance with Taiwan's MetaTech (AP) Inc. (which was dissolved in December 2023). In November 2018, it obtained a manufacturing license for regenerative medicine products and started contract services. In March 2021, CellSeed transitioned to a company with an audit and supervisory committee. In September 2021, it established the Aomi Cell Culture Innovation Center, a new facility for product development and manufacturing of cell culture equipment. In April 2022, following the reorganization of the Tokyo Stock Exchange market segments, the company moved from JASDAQ (Growth) to the Growth Market. In October 2025, CellSeed initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial for its allogeneic chondrocyte cell sheet (CLS2901C) and completed enrollment of the first patient. Throughout its history, CellSeed has been involved in several notable events. In 2013, the company was subject to an insider trading investigation related to the STAP cell controversy, as a co-author of the STAP papers had connections to CellSeed. The company has also been featured in media, such as the TV Tokyo program "Gaia no Yoake" in 2009. CellSeed has subsidiaries in Europe: CellSeed Europe (UK), CellSeed France, and CellSeed Sweden.

Founded in Shinjuku, Tokyo, for research and development based on cell sheet engineering.
Started sales of RepCell® and HydroCell® cell cultureware.
Started domestic sales of UpCell® temperature-responsive cell cultureware.
Started overseas sales of temperature-responsive cell cultureware.
Signed joint research and development agreement with Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd.
Listed on JASDAQ Securities Exchange (now Tokyo Stock Exchange JASDAQ Growth).
Moved to JASDAQ Growth after market integration.
Relocated headquarters to Telecom Center (current location).
Started clinical trial for esophageal regeneration sheet in Japan.
Established Cell Culture Center at Telecom Center.
Obtained license for manufacturing specified cell products.
Entered business alliance with MetaTech (AP) Inc. (dissolved December 2023).
Obtained manufacturing license for regenerative medicine products and started contract services.
Transitioned to a company with an audit and supervisory committee.
Established Aomi Cell Culture Innovation Center.
Moved to Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market.
Started Phase 3 trial of allogeneic chondrocyte cell sheet (CLS2901C) and completed first patient enrollment.

Products and positioning

Pioneer in cell sheet regenerative medicine, aiming to bring Japan-originated technology to patients worldwide.

RepCell®
Temperature-responsive cell cultureware for cell recovery.
HydroCell®
Ultra-low attachment cell cultureware.
UpCell®
Temperature-responsive cell cultureware for cell sheet recovery.
Esophageal regeneration sheet
Cell sheet product for esophageal regeneration, in clinical trials in Japan.
CLS2901C
Allogeneic chondrocyte cell sheet, in Phase 3 clinical trial.

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