Q-Stem, a startup developing a hair loss solution based on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), announced on the 20th that it has attracted seed investment worth 2.2 billion won.
FuturePlay participated in this investment as the lead investor, and Mashup Ventures, Hallym University Technology Holdings, and AI Angel Club were listed as co-investors.
Q-Stem is a biotechnology-based company founded by Professor Ban Ki-won of the City University of Hong Kong. The company is developing technology to secure dermal papilla cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells and to extract and commercialize the growth factors secreted by these cells.
Dermal papilla cells, located at the base of hair follicles, are known to be involved in hair growth and maintenance. Research has shown that 2,000 to 3,000 cells reside at the base of hair follicles, secreting growth factors and bioactive substances that regulate the hair growth cycle and communicate with surrounding cells.
Q-Stem has been developing related technologies based on research findings suggesting that hair loss may be linked to a decline in growth factor secretion due to aging in hair papilla cells. Currently, Q-Stem is establishing a mass production process for hair papilla cell culture fluid and conducting safety assessments.
The company plans to expand its application areas, starting with functional cosmetics. Initially, manufacturing will be conducted through contract manufacturing, and the company is also considering establishing its own production base.
CEO Ban Ki-won stated that he plans to apply stem cell technology to the field of hair loss to provide a scientifically-backed solution. Futureplay, which led the investment, explained the investment's rationale as being based on Q-Stem's ongoing efforts to secure raw materials, establish a manufacturing process, and prepare for commercialization based on hiPSC-based cell differentiation technology.
With this investment, Q-System plans to gradually advance its platform for raw material derived from human papilla cells, jointly develop and test with domestic and foreign manufacturers, and expand its product lineup for commercialization of hair loss solutions.
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