셀레브레인
3 known investors
Cellebrain is a biotech company developing stem cell-based gene therapies for intractable diseases that currently lack pharmacological treatments. It focuses on gene-cell therapies aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with cancer and chronic diseases.
Also known as (주)셀레브레인 · Cellebrain · CELLeBRAIN · 셀레브레인
Investors · 3
Also in the syndicate · 2
Company profile
researched Aug 2026셀레브레인 (Cellebrain, CELLeBRAIN) is a South Korean advanced biopharmaceutical developer working on stem cell-based gene therapies for diseases that lack pharmacological treatment options. Its approach uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a cellular vehicle to deliver therapeutic genes, targeting brain disorders such as malignant glioblastoma (brain tumor) and chronic stroke. The company organizes its work around four areas: a core stem cell-based gene therapy platform, solid cancer therapeutics, regenerative therapeutics for damaged tissue, and genome analysis applied to therapeutic research.
The disclosed pipeline includes CB11 and CB21 in solid cancer therapy (CB11 indicated for GBM), CB31 in regeneration (indications listed as chronic stroke and fibrosis), and an ISAL genome-analysis technology. The brain tumor program is described as a therapy administered after tumor resection surgery, during roughly a four-week treatment gap, together with the oral prodrug 5-FC (5-fluorocytosine), which is converted in the body into 5-FU (fluorouracil) to kill residual tumor cells. The chronic stroke candidate consists of mesenchymal stem cells carrying neuro-regenerative and vascular-regenerative genes, in an indication the company states has no commercialized therapy.
Cellebrain was established in March 2018 as a research institute company of Ajou University and had a patent transferred from the Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation in December 2019. It is registered as a small-to-medium enterprise with venture certification, is led by CEO Seo Hae-young (서해영), and is certified as a women-owned business by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
Founding story
The company was established in March 2018 as a research institute company (연구소기업) of Ajou University and subsequently received a patent transfer from the Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation in December 2019.
Business model
The company is a pre-commercial therapeutic developer, advancing internally generated gene-modified stem cell candidates through preclinical work, investigator-initiated trials and regulatory studies, while outsourcing GMP manufacturing to third-party CDMOs such as ENCell. It also draws on government and regional R&D grant programs and equity investment from venture capital and a pharmaceutical strategic investor.
Traction
An investigator-initiated trial of CB-11 for brain tumor began in March 2021 and was completed in December 2023, with clinical results prepared for publication; the company reports the trial in recurrent glioblastoma patients at CHA Hospital used therapy manufactured under contract in 2018 and was completed successfully. In October 2024 it received Ministry of Health and Welfare approval for an advanced regenerative clinical study of its brain tumor therapeutic, and in May 2025 was selected for an advanced regenerative medicine clinical study of MSC11FCD in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. In February 2026 the company reports U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for CB-11, and selection for programs supporting a U.S. FDA IND submission and U.S. incubation for the candidate. It has raised Pre-A, Series A and Series B rounds and holds INNO-BIZ, MAIN-BIZ and venture business certifications.
Latest developments
In March 2025 Cellebrain signed a CDMO contract worth approximately KRW 800 million with ENCell, under which ENCell will produce gene-loaded stem cell therapy from Cellebrain's gene-introduced master cell bank for advanced regenerative clinical research and treatment; the contract runs to 3 March 2026 and other terms are confidential under a mutual NDA. CEO Seo Hae-young said the resulting product is intended to support entry into later-stage domestic and overseas trials. The company also reports 2025 INNO-BIZ certification and a head office relocation, and, in early 2026, U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for CB-11 plus selection for the K-VIP biohealth global expansion program, a Jeonbuk advanced bio super-gap R&D project for CB-31 CMC development, and a Texas incubation residency program.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Cellebrain positions itself as a developer of gene and cell therapies for central nervous system indications with unmet medical need, including recurrent glioblastoma and chronic stroke, the latter of which it describes as having no commercialized treatment.
Cellebrain cites proprietary gene-introduction and analytical platform technologies for producing high-efficiency, high-purity gene-loaded stem cell therapies, a multi-gene co-expressing MSC platform, and a completed investigator-initiated clinical trial in recurrent glioblastoma as the basis for its programs; it notes there is no commercialized therapy for chronic stroke, the indication of CB-31.
Technology
The core technology is a platform in which mesenchymal stem cells are loaded with functional genes and used as delivery vehicles for gene therapy. Cellebrain states it holds gene-introduction and analytical technologies needed for high-efficiency, high-purity therapeutic production, including a multi-gene co-expressing MSC platform underlying CB-31. The brain tumor candidate MSC11FCD carries a suicide gene, converting orally administered 5-FC into cytotoxic 5-FU in situ. The company also lists an ISAL genome-analysis technology and reports four registered patents (10-1022401, 10-1850780, 10-0519227, 10-1446711).
Go-to-market
Development is advanced through investigator-initiated and advanced regenerative medicine clinical studies with Korean hospitals and regulatory approvals from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, combined with government-funded R&D projects (national new drug development, regenerative medicine, BIG3 start-up, Scale-up TIPS) and preparation for a U.S. FDA IND filing with local incubation support in Texas.
Patients with brain lesion diseases, in particular malignant glioblastoma and chronic stroke patients, plus cancer and chronic disease patients more broadly; clinical partners include hospital-based investigators such as CHA Hospital.
Geography
Headquartered in Jeollabuk-do, South Korea — initially in Jeonju-si (Anjeon-ro, Deokjin-gu) and relocated in July 2025 to Cheomdangwahak-ro, Sinjeong-dong, Jeongeup-si. Additional domestic branches were established in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do (February 2023) and Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do (June 2024). The company reports 2026 selection for a Texas incubation office residency program supporting U.S. business development for CB-11.
History
Founded in March 2018 as an Ajou University research institute company, with headquarters in Jeonju. It was certified as an affiliated research institute in 2019, received a transferred university patent in December 2019, and secured a Pre-A round in October 2019. Hanmi Pharm subscribed to a new share issuance in February 2021, followed by a Series A in December 2021 and a Series B in December 2024. Clinical activity progressed from the March 2021 start of the CB-11 investigator-initiated trial to its December 2023 completion, October 2024 regulatory approval for an advanced regenerative clinical study, a March 2025 CDMO agreement with ENCell, and reported U.S. FDA orphan drug designation for CB-11 in February 2026.
Risks & controversies
The lead programs remain in early clinical and IND-enabling stages, with CB-11 in preparation for a U.S. FDA IND submission and CB-31 still at preclinical/CMC advancement, so no product has regulatory marketing approval. Manufacturing of clinical material depends on an external CDMO, and terms of that contract are not disclosed.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 19
launches, deals, and filingsNew head office at 201 Cheomdangwahak-ro, Sinjeong-dong, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do.
ENCell disclosed a contract of approximately KRW 800 million to manufacture Cellebrain's gene-loaded stem cell therapy from its gene-introduced master cell bank; the contract term runs to 3 March 2026 and detailed terms are confidential.
Branch opened at Halla Triple Tower, 123-12 Ochangjungang-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do.
The investigator-initiated trial, begun in March 2021, was completed with clinical results being prepared for publication; press coverage describes the trial as conducted at CHA Hospital in recurrent glioblastoma patients.
Branch opened at Digital Empire 2, 88 Sinwon-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- 셀레브레인cellebrain.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does 셀레브레인 do?
- Korean biotech developing mesenchymal stem cell-based gene therapies for brain tumors and chronic stroke.
- Who are 셀레브레인's investors?
- 셀레브레인's investors include Laguna Investment.