"Mitouke" Secures Tens of Millions in Pre-A Round Financing for Optimizing Pet Stem Cell Drug Development Process | Exclusive Report by 36Kr

36Kr learned that the pet stem cell medical technology company "Mitouke" recently received tens of millions of yuan in a Pre-A round of financing, led by Qinzhi Capital. The funds from this round of financing will mainly be used for the R & D of pet stem cell drugs and the clinical transformation of technologies.

Mitouke Biotechnology was founded at the end of 2021. It mainly develops mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) drugs for geriatric diseases in animals such as cats, dogs, and horses, including indications like osteoarthritis, cartilage or ligament injuries, and muscle atrophy.

Mesenchymal stem cells have shown certain clinical effectiveness and safety in aspects such as immune regulation, anti - inflammation, promotion of neurovascular regeneration, protection of damaged cells, and tissue repair.

At the beginning of 2025, the National Medical Products Administration of China conditionally approved the listing of the first domestic stem cell drug, with the indication of GVHD (graft - versus - host disease). On March 22, Hainan Boao Lecheng released the charging standards for three stem cell treatment technologies, including the treatment of osteoarthritis and intervention in heart failure using umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell technology. At the regulatory level, signals supporting the R & D of stem cell drugs have been continuously released.

The effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell drugs largely depends on cell culture processes, resuscitation processes, etc. Cell drugs with high activity are more likely to achieve good treatment results. "Through the optimization of the culture medium and culture conditions, the cells we cultivate can achieve efficient expansion. The cells of elderly pets can also have good regenerative ability, approaching the state of young pets," said Ren Yu, the founder of Mitouke.

In addition, in order to ensure that the cells still maintain high activity after cryopreservation and resuscitation, Mitouke has independently developed a cryopreservation solution and preservation system for pet stem cells. "The commonly used cryopreservation solutions in the market are basically developed for human cells and are not fully suitable for pet cell drugs. With our self - developed cryopreservation system, pet stem cells can still maintain relatively high activity after long - distance transportation after resuscitation."

Regarding the cost of cell drugs, Mitouke is also optimizing the processes in all aspects of R & D, such as cytokine combinations, culture methods, cell seeding density, digestion methods, cell cryopreservation and resuscitation, and the stability of storage and transportation, in order to achieve higher cell yields, stronger activity, and less cell usage during treatment, thereby reducing costs.

In terms of channels, Mitouke has established clinical research cooperation relationships with chain pet hospitals such as Xinruipeng, Ruipai, Ruichen, Quanxinquanyi, Yimeng, and Chongai International to accelerate the clinical implementation of stem cell technologies.

With the rapid increase in the number of aging pets, a considerable number of pet owners have a high willingness and ability to pay. There is a huge market gap for specific drugs targeting pet diseases. Although no domestic pet stem cell drugs have been approved yet, due to their potential in treating pet joint diseases, skin diseases, etc., Chinese stem cell drug enterprises are expected to accelerate technological transformation through technological innovation and manufacturing advantages, and help new stem cell drugs be approved and launched on the market at an early date.