What are the latest funding news in the cell therapy market? (October 2026)
Whether you're building or investing in the cell therapy market, our report covers everything you need to know: the players, the money, and what's coming next.
Cell therapy funding remained highly active in 2026, with investors backing companies across CAR-T, regulatory T cells, CAR-NK and regenerative medicine.
The latest deals show that capital is increasingly reaching both pivotal-stage programs and younger platforms trying to make living-cell medicines easier to manufacture and use.
Oncology still dominates the funding landscape, but autoimmune and neurological cell therapies are becoming a meaningful part of the market.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the cell therapy market.
Insights
- CAR-T and related engineered immune-cell therapies represent eight of the 12 latest financings, showing that oncology remains the main source of private capital in the cell therapy market.
- The 12 selected financings represent more than $600 million of disclosed capital, even before counting undisclosed valuations or the portion of Vivacta Bio's round above $50 million.
- Large rounds are not limited to commercial-stage assets. BrainChild Bio raised $116 million while advancing a pivotal pediatric CAR-T program, while CREATE Medicines secured $122 million for in-vivo immune-cell programming.
- In-vivo CAR approaches are becoming a distinct investment category, with CREATE Medicines and Vivacta Bio together raising more than $172 million to generate therapeutic cells directly inside patients.
- Asia is becoming increasingly important in cell therapy financing, with BioOra, Simnova Biotech, Hopstem Biotechnology, Zecui Biotech, Tikva Allocell and Vivacta Bio all having meaningful Asia-Pacific operations or origins.
- Regenerative medicine is attracting capital beyond oncology, illustrated by Hopstem's neural progenitor cells and Zecui's pluripotent-stem-cell-derived therapies for neurological and metabolic diseases.
- Investors are funding increasingly advanced assets, with several of the latest deals supporting Phase II, pivotal studies, regulatory filings or commercial manufacturing rather than basic platform discovery.
- Off-the-shelf cell therapy remains an important investment theme, with Simnova, Tikva Allocell and Allotera developing allogeneic CAR-NK or CAR-T products designed to reduce dependence on patient-specific manufacturing.
Written by the New Market Pitch teamWe track new markets so founders and investors can move faster. About us
In our report covering the cell therapy market, you will always find fresh funding data, taken straight from our own verified funding database.
Summary table of the latest funding deals in the cell therapy market as of October 2026
We define the cell therapy market as the market for cell-based medicinal products used as drugs to treat disease, including both approved products and major late-stage pipeline therapies.
We include living-cell products such as CAR-T, other engineered immune cells, and non-oncology cell-based drugs, along with their direct clinical use and revenue.
We exclude procedures like standard stem-cell transplants, simple minimally manipulated cell preparations used in surgery, and generic tools or equipment that are not specific to these therapies.
| Name | When | Amount in $ | Round Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vivacta Bio | 29 April 2026 | >$50M | Series A & A+ | In-vivo CAR-T & oncology and autoimmune disease |
| CREATE Medicines | 14 May 2026 | $122M | Series B | In-vivo CAR & immune-cell programming |
| Waypoint Bio | 1 June 2026 | $20M | Series A | CAR-T & solid tumors |
| Allotera Therapeutics | 8 July 2026 | $35M | Series C extension | Allogeneic CAR-T & hematologic cancers |
| Tikva Allocell | 22 July 2026 | $8M | Series A | Allogeneic engineered T cells & solid tumors |
| Zecui Biotech | 28 July 2026 | $75M | Undisclosed financing round | Stem-cell-derived regenerative medicine |
| Hopstem Biotechnology | 10 August 2026 | ~$29.6M | Series C first close | iPSC neural cell therapy & neurological disease |
| Simnova Biotech | 31 August 2026 | ~$55M | Series B | CAR-NK & CAR-T |
| BrainChild Bio | 8 September 2026 | $116M | Series A | Autologous CAR-T & CNS tumors |
| RegCell | 15 September 2026 | $44M | Series A | Regulatory T cells & autoimmune disease |
| Link Cell Therapies | 28 September 2026 | $30M incremental | Series A extension | Logic-gated CAR-T & solid tumors |
| BioOra | 1 October 2026 | ~$17M | Series A2 first close | Autologous CD19 CAR-T & hematologic oncology |
All the latest funding deals in the cell therapy market as of October 2026
BioOra raised about $17 million in a Series A2 first close in October 2026
When was it?
BioOra announced the first close on 1 October 2026.
Who are they?
BioOra develops and manufactures atla-cel, an autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy for B-cell cancers.
Geographical focus?
BioOra is based in New Zealand and is initially targeting New Zealand and Australia while holding expansion rights for major international markets.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
BioOra belongs to the cell therapy market because its main therapeutic product is a living autologous CAR-T medicine for hematologic oncology.
What is the company stage?
BioOra is at a late clinical and pre-commercial stage, with atla-cel in Phase II development and commercial manufacturing infrastructure being prepared.
How much did they raise?
BioOra secured NZ$30 million, or roughly $17 million, in the first close.
What round is it?
BioOra described the financing as the first close of its Series A2 round.
Why did they raise?
BioOra raised the capital to support clinical manufacturing, regulatory filing work, its Christchurch manufacturing facility and international expansion.
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Link Cell Therapies added about $30 million to its Series A in September 2026
When was it?
Link Cell Therapies announced the Series A expansion on 28 September 2026.
Who are they?
Link Cell Therapies develops logic-gated CAR-T cells designed to activate only when tumors display specific combinations of antigens.
Geographical focus?
Link Cell Therapies is based in the United States and is developing its programs with major U.S. cancer centers.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Link Cell Therapies is a CAR-T oncology company focused on engineered living-cell drugs for solid and hematologic cancers.
What is the company stage?
Link Cell Therapies is at an early clinical stage, with its lead renal-cell carcinoma program in Phase I testing.
How much did they raise?
Link Cell Therapies added about $30 million of new capital, increasing the total Series A financing from $60 million to $90 million.
What round is it?
Link Cell Therapies completed an extension and upsize of its Series A financing.
Why did they raise?
Link Cell Therapies raised the additional capital to advance more logic-gated CAR-T programs, including a planned colorectal cancer program.
RegCell raised $44 million in a Series A financing in September 2026
When was it?
RegCell announced the financing on 15 September 2026.
Who are they?
RegCell converts disease-driving CD4 T cells into stable antigen-specific regulatory T cells designed to restore immune tolerance.
Geographical focus?
RegCell originated in Japan and is now based in California, with development activity spanning the United States and Japan.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
RegCell belongs to the market because its therapeutic candidates are living regulatory T-cell products for autoimmune diseases.
What is the company stage?
RegCell is at the preclinical and IND-enabling stage and is preparing its lead program for human proof-of-concept studies.
How much did they raise?
RegCell raised $44 million in equity financing.
What round is it?
RegCell completed a Series A round.
Why did they raise?
RegCell raised the capital to support an FDA IND, move its lead Treg program into the clinic and advance another autoimmune indication.
BrainChild Bio raised $116 million in a Series A financing in September 2026
When was it?
BrainChild Bio announced the financing on 8 September 2026.
Who are they?
BrainChild Bio develops autologous CAR-T therapies for tumors of the central nervous system, starting with pediatric brain cancer.
Geographical focus?
BrainChild Bio operates from Seattle and Cambridge in the United States while developing therapies intended for broader global use.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
BrainChild Bio belongs to the cell therapy market because its pipeline consists of autologous CAR-T medicines for CNS tumors.
What is the company stage?
BrainChild Bio is at an advanced clinical stage, with BCB-276 progressing through a pivotal Phase II study.
How much did they raise?
BrainChild Bio raised $116 million.
What round is it?
BrainChild Bio completed a Series A financing.
Why did they raise?
BrainChild Bio raised the capital to finance the pivotal BCB-276 trial and advance additional CAR-T programs for brain tumors.
In our market report about cell therapies, we always try to gather several sources and make estimates that make sense, so you can work with solid numbers.
Simnova Biotech raised about $55 million in a Series B financing in August 2026
When was it?
Simnova Biotech announced the financing on 31 August 2026.
Who are they?
Simnova Biotech develops off-the-shelf CAR-NK and CAR-T medicines for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Geographical focus?
Simnova Biotech is based in China and has research activity in Shanghai and Boston, with both Chinese and international ambitions.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Simnova Biotech is directly focused on engineered immune-cell medicines, particularly CAR-NK and CAR-T products.
What is the company stage?
Simnova Biotech is at the clinical stage, with its lead CAR-NK program already through early human testing.
How much did they raise?
Simnova Biotech raised nearly RMB400 million, equivalent to about $55 million.
What round is it?
Simnova Biotech completed a Series B financing.
Why did they raise?
Simnova Biotech raised the capital to accelerate clinical studies of SNC103 and advance its in-vivo CAR-T program SNC116.
Hopstem Biotechnology raised about $29.6 million in a Series C first close in August 2026
When was it?
Hopstem Biotechnology announced the first close on 10 August 2026.
Who are they?
Hopstem Biotechnology develops iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells designed to repair damaged neural tissue after stroke and traumatic brain injury.
Geographical focus?
Hopstem Biotechnology is based in China and is also pursuing a U.S. regulatory strategy for its lead therapy.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Hopstem Biotechnology develops living neural progenitor-cell medicines, placing it directly in regenerative and neurological cell therapy.
What is the company stage?
Hopstem Biotechnology is at the clinical stage and has already generated Phase I human data for hNPC01.
How much did they raise?
Hopstem Biotechnology raised nearly RMB200 million, or approximately $29.6 million.
What round is it?
Hopstem Biotechnology completed the first close of a Series C financing.
Why did they raise?
Hopstem Biotechnology raised the capital to expand clinical development across stroke and traumatic brain injury and prepare commercial-scale manufacturing.
Zecui Biotech raised $75 million in a new financing round in July 2026
When was it?
Zecui Biotech announced the financing on 28 July 2026.
Who are they?
Zecui Biotech develops therapeutic cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells for neurological, oncology and metabolic diseases.
Geographical focus?
Zecui Biotech is based in Shanghai and is building programs with potential for both Chinese and international development.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Zecui Biotech belongs to the cell therapy market because its core technology produces differentiated living cells intended to act as medicines.
What is the company stage?
Zecui Biotech is at the preclinical and translational stage, with established manufacturing processes and animal proof-of-concept for its Parkinson's program.
How much did they raise?
Zecui Biotech raised $75 million.
What round is it?
Zecui Biotech described the deal as a new financing round without publicly naming a Series stage.
Why did they raise?
Zecui Biotech raised the capital to expand its pipeline, research team and translational development across several therapeutic areas.
Our document detailing everything you need to know about cell therapy gets updated several times a month, so you always get the latest view of where things stand.
Tikva Allocell raised $8 million in a Series A financing in July 2026
When was it?
Tikva Allocell announced the financing on 22 July 2026.
Who are they?
Tikva Allocell develops donor-derived EBV-specific T cells engineered into off-the-shelf therapies for solid tumors.
Geographical focus?
Tikva Allocell operates across Singapore and the United States and plans clinical development in both markets.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Tikva Allocell develops allogeneic engineered T-cell medicines, including CAR-T candidates for difficult-to-treat solid tumors.
What is the company stage?
Tikva Allocell is at the late preclinical and IND-enabling stage.
How much did they raise?
Tikva Allocell raised $8 million.
What round is it?
Tikva Allocell completed a Series A financing.
Why did they raise?
Tikva Allocell raised the capital to finish IND-enabling studies, complete regulatory filings and prepare TAVST01 for human testing.
Allotera Therapeutics raised $35 million in a Series C extension in July 2026
When was it?
Allotera Therapeutics announced the financing in early July 2026.
Who are they?
Allotera Therapeutics, formerly Wugen, develops gene-edited allogeneic CAR-T therapies for aggressive hematologic cancers.
Geographical focus?
Allotera Therapeutics is based in the United States and is running a global pivotal clinical program.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Allotera Therapeutics belongs to the market because its core pipeline consists of off-the-shelf allogeneic CAR-T medicines.
What is the company stage?
Allotera Therapeutics is at the pivotal clinical stage with Sofi-cel in the global T-RRex study.
How much did they raise?
Allotera Therapeutics raised $35 million through a combination of equity and venture debt.
What round is it?
Allotera Therapeutics completed an extension of its Series C financing with a debt component.
Why did they raise?
Allotera Therapeutics raised the capital to support pivotal development, manufacturing scale-up and preparations for possible commercialization of Sofi-cel.
Waypoint Bio raised $20 million in a Series A financing in June 2026
When was it?
Waypoint Bio announced the financing on 1 June 2026.
Who are they?
Waypoint Bio uses spatial biology, AI and pooled screening to design its own CAR-T therapies for difficult solid tumors.
Geographical focus?
Waypoint Bio is based in New York and is developing therapies with a global clinical ambition.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Waypoint Bio belongs to the market because its main products are proprietary CAR-T medicines rather than general-purpose research tools.
What is the company stage?
Waypoint Bio is at the late preclinical stage and is preparing its lead CAR-T program for human testing.
How much did they raise?
Waypoint Bio raised $20 million.
What round is it?
Waypoint Bio completed a Series A financing.
Why did they raise?
Waypoint Bio raised the capital to bring WAY-103 toward clinical testing, expand clinical capabilities and advance additional CAR-T candidates.
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CREATE Medicines raised $122 million in a Series B financing in May 2026
When was it?
CREATE Medicines announced the financing on 14 May 2026.
Who are they?
CREATE Medicines uses targeted mRNA delivery to program T cells, NK cells and other immune cells directly inside patients.
Geographical focus?
CREATE Medicines is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is developing its programs for global clinical use.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
CREATE Medicines belongs to the cell therapy market because its therapies generate disease-fighting CAR immune cells directly inside the patient's body.
What is the company stage?
CREATE Medicines is at the clinical stage and had already dosed more than 50 patients across its in-vivo CAR programs.
How much did they raise?
CREATE Medicines raised $122 million.
What round is it?
CREATE Medicines completed a Series B financing.
Why did they raise?
CREATE Medicines raised the capital to advance its autoimmune and oncology in-vivo CAR programs through clinical development.
Vivacta Bio raised more than $50 million across Series A and A+ financings in April 2026
When was it?
Vivacta Bio disclosed the completed financings on 29 April 2026.
Who are they?
Vivacta Bio develops targeted delivery systems that generate therapeutic CAR-T cells directly inside patients.
Geographical focus?
Vivacta Bio is based in China and is building its clinical programs and organization for international development.
Why do we include them in the cell therapy market?
Vivacta Bio belongs to the market because its core pipeline is dedicated to in-vivo CAR-T medicines for oncology and autoimmune disease.
What is the company stage?
Vivacta Bio is at the clinical stage and has already reported first-in-human data from its lead program.
How much did they raise?
Vivacta Bio raised more than $50 million across the two consecutive financings.
What round is it?
Vivacta Bio completed a Series A followed by a Series A+ financing.
Why did they raise?
Vivacta Bio raised the capital to accelerate clinical development of its in-vivo CAR-T pipeline and expand its international operations.
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Written by the New Market Pitch teamWe track new markets so founders and investors can move faster. About us
