News
2025 01.24
xFOREST Announces Closing of Series A Funding Round
xFOREST Therapeutics (Headquarter: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan; Representative Director, President and CEO: Shunichi Kashida; Representative Director and CTO: Kaoru R. Komatsu; hereinafter, xFOREST) today announces that it has successfully closed its Series A funding round from Miyako Capital, ANRI and KSP.
xFOREST develops platform “FOREST technologies” for RNA structure targeted drug development. With this fundraising, xFOREST aims to advance a lead compound development platform driven by "FOREST technologies."
Comment from Hiroyuki Misawa, Director & Partner of Miyako Capital
We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in xFOREST Therapeutics at this pivotal stage in its technological development and business expansion. Backed by cutting-edge science, the company’s innovative platform, FOREST Technologies, represents a groundbreaking advancement in the development of RNA-targeted small molecule therapeutics. As the lead investor, we are committed to fully supporting xFOREST Therapeutics in its mission to advance its next-generation drug discovery platform and deliver transformative treatments to patients. We have high expectations for the company’s continued growth and its significant contributions to the field of RNA-targeted small molecule therapeutics.
Comment from Yusuke Miyazaki, Principal of ANRI
“With recent technological and scientific advancements in RNA biology, the drug industry is highly keen to develop drugs targeting RNA. In this era, we, ANRI, are excited with xFOREST’s proprietary technology “FOREST” - RNA-Structure targeting Drug Discovery Technologies-. Also, believe its technologies would be critical solutions for the RNA-targeted drug arena. Furthermore, the founders are one of the most intelligent and creative brilliant scientist-entrepreneurs we have met. We are incredibly excited to work closely with the xFOREST team to bring a highly impactful drug to patients ultimately.”
Comment from Kiichi Kubota, Representative Director, President of KSP
In recent years, in addition to the pipeline-based drug discovery and development model, the platform-based model proposed by PeptiDream has emerged. However, we have felt that there are few cases that can truly be called platform-based. Nonetheless, we are confident that "FOREST technologies" by xFOREST Therapeutics is a technology worthy of being called a platform-based model. To achieve the goal of "Japan-born, world-first," we are committed to providing as much support as possible in collaboration with "Miyako Capital" and "ANRI."
About Miyako Capital
Miyako Capital is an independent venture capital firm that invests in R&D-driven startups leveraging cutting-edge intellectual assets from academia and research institutions, including Kyoto University. Through its support for industry-academia collaboration and initiatives that drive the societal implementation of research outcomes, Miyako Capital is dedicated to fostering next-generation industries and innovations.
About ANRI
ANRI is a leading seed/early stage-focused investment firm based in Tokyo, Japan. ANRI is committed to helping exceptional founders build their next major companies. The firm invests in a wide range of disruptive ideas and technologies from consumer services to biotechnology. Founded in 2012, ANRI has funded more than 100 companies including hey, Mirrativ, LayerX, 10X and more. For more information, please visit http://anri.vc/
About KSP
KSP is widely recognized both domestically and internationally as a pioneer in fostering new industries in Japan. As the operator of Japan’s first urban science park, the Kanagawa Science Park, KSP has a proven track record in offering a broad range of support services. These include business incubation, fund investment, and business school programs. In addition to its business matching initiatives, KSP is also actively engaged in "KSP DEEPTECH STUDIO," a talent-matching program aimed at discovering and nurturing university-based startup leaders from the talent pools of large corporations and other institutions.