# KAICO

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/kaico

- Industry: Biotechnology
- Headquarters: Fukuoka-shi, Japan
- Website: www.kaicoltd.jp
- Total disclosed funding: $7M
- Latest round: Series A (Jan 19, 2024)
- Investors on record: 9

## About

Founded in 2018 and based in Fukuoka, Japan, KAICO Ltd. produces proteins using the silkworm baculovirus expression method and commercially uses them for research reagents, diagnostic agents, and vaccines. In January 2024, KAICO Ltd. raised JPY 290 million in series A funding from investors ITOCHU Technology Ventures and Mizuho Capital with participation from FFG Venture Business Partners and Tokyo Century Corporation. As of August 2024, the company is led by CEO Kenta Yamato.

KAICO Ltd.offers a range of products and services based on its core technology. The company provides services for the trial expression of customized proteins to support research and development efforts of its clients. The company also sells reagents derived from its recombinant protein production, which are used in various scientific research applications. Additionally, KAICO develops and commercializes proprietary supplements and vaccines for both animal and human use. The products are based on the recombinant proteins produced through the silkworm-baculovirus expression system. Additionally, the firm uses a genetically modified baculovirus to infect silkworms, which then produce recombinant proteins. The proteins are extracted and purified for various applications. The use of silkworms offers several advantages, including the ability to produce complex proteins that are difficult to express in other systems.

The January 2024 funding will be used to sell the oral vaccine for pigs and to expand to other countries, mainly in Asia.

## Funding rounds

- Series A, Jan 19, 2024, $2M — ITOCHU Technology Ventures, Mizuho Capital, FFG Venture Business Partners, Tokyo Century Corporation
- Series A, Dec 15, 2021, $2.3M — Sojitz Corporation, UntroD Capital, Euglena Co. Ltd., Tokyo Century Corporation
- Series A, May 25, 2020, $2.4M — Japan Science and Technology Agency, Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan (REVIC), FFG Venture Business Partners, Tokyo Century Corporation
- Seed, Oct 29, 2018, $0.4M — FFG Venture Business Partners

## Investors

- FFG Venture Business Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/ffg-venture-business-partners) — Seed, Series A
- Japan Science and Technology Agency — Series A
- Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan (REVIC) — Series A
- Tokyo Century Corporation — Series A
- Sojitz Corporation — Series A
- UntroD Capital — Series A
- Euglena Co. Ltd. — Series A
- ITOCHU Technology Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/itochu-technology-ventures) — Series A
- Mizuho Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/mizuho-capital) — Series A