Innovation Kyoto 2021 Investment Limited Partnership" ("KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ"), managed by Kyoto University Innovation Capital Co.,Ltd. ("Kyoto iCAP") (Headquarters: Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Ko Kusumi) as its general partner, has made a new investment in Surv BioPharma Inc. (Headquarters: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima; Representative Director: Masaki Yamada), a venture company leveraging research outcomes from Kagoshima University.

Overview of the investment
Surv BioPharma is a startup established based on research outcomes from Kagoshima University and is engaged in the research and development of cancer therapeutics using oncolytic viruses.

The company’s lead product, Surv.m-CRA-1, is a next-generation oncolytic virus therapy that utilizes the Survivin promoter, which is selectively activated in cancer cells. This enables the virus to replicate and proliferate specifically within tumor cells, achieving both direct tumor destruction and the induction of secondary antitumor immune responses. The therapy is characterized by its high antitumor activity while minimizing effects on normal cells.

In investigator-initiated Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, Surv.m-CRA-1 has demonstrated extremely favorable results in terms of safety as well as efficacy in patients with primary malignant bone tumors. Based on these results, an investigator-initiated Phase III clinical trial aimed at obtaining regulatory approval was initiated in November 2025.

In addition, leveraging the multi-factor replication-controlled adenovirus (m-CRA) technology established through Surv.m-CRA-1, Surv BioPharma is advancing nonclinical development of a subsequent pipeline, including next-generation oncolytic viruses incorporating immune-related genes. Through a platform strategy that also envisions systemic antitumor immune induction and treatment of metastatic cancers, the company aims to address unmet medical needs in the fields of rare and refractory cancers.

Kyoto iCAP highly evaluated the superior tumor selectivity, safety, and efficacy of Surv.m-CRA-1, as well as its exceptionally positive clinical trial outcomes. Furthermore, considering the significant social importance of treatments for rare cancers, Kyoto iCAP determined that this technology has strong potential to become a new therapeutic option in cancer treatment and therefore invested JPY 200m in the current funding round.

Overview of Surv BioPharma Inc.
Establishment : August 2022
Business Description: Research and development of gene therapy products, including oncolytic viruses
Head Office: Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima, Japan
Representative Director: Masaki Yamada
HP : https://www.survbiopharma.co.jp/

About Kyoto University Innovation Capital , Co. Ltd. (Kyoto iCAP):
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyoto University, KYOTO-iCAP provides investment and other business support to companies that utilize research results generated by Kyoto University and other national universities. KYOTO-iCAP currently operates the Innovation Kyoto 2016 Investment Limited Partnership ("KYOTO-iCAP FundⅠ") (established in January 2016) with a total value of 16 billion yen and the KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ (established in January 2021) with a total value of 18.1 billion yen. The KYOTO-iCAP FundⅠ has a maturity of up to 20 years, and the KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ has a maturity of up to 17 years, making it possible to provide long-term support for the practical application of research results from Kyoto University, which has strengths in basic research. In addition, KYOTO-iCAP FundⅡ will invest a portion of the funds in ventures originating from national universities other than Kyoto University.

Contact information for inquiries
Kyoto University Innovation Capital, Co. Ltd.
36-1 Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8317, Japan
Osami Kono, Senior Officer, Business Development Department
TEL: 075-753-7588 FAX: 075-753-7592
E-mail: info@kyoto-unicap.co.jp