Key findings
- Trailhead Biosystems has added $20 million in new funding, bringing its May 2025 financing total to $40 million.
- The company says the capital will support the commercialization of its induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human cells and media, as well as manufacturing and quality systems.
Trailhead Biosystems has raised an additional $20 million in funding, bringing its total financing announced in May 2025 to $40 million. The funding extension was led by MAK Capital, with participation from additional investors.
What Trailhead is building
Trailhead develops induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human cell types for biomedical research. The company says it uses a proprietary High-Dimensional Design-of-Experiments (HD-DoE®) platform to control differentiation conditions and generate iPSC-derived cells intended to closely match the molecular and functional properties of primary human cells (cells taken directly from human tissue).
Where the company says the products fit
Trailhead says the added financing will support further development of its iPSC-derived human cell and media portfolio, positioning these products for use in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for preclinical research and drug discovery (NAMs are lab-based approaches intended to reduce reliance on animal testing).
According to the company, its cell products are functionally validated and designed to support:
- high-content screening
- toxicity testing
- disease modeling
- organoid studies
- organ-on-a-chip applications
Trailhead also offers custom cell differentiation services for partners looking to refine or develop cell models with defined biological characteristics.
The new capital will also be used to invest in manufacturing processes, quality systems, and operational infrastructure.
“Our focus is on building high-quality products that researchers can trust and integrate into their workflows with confidence,” said David Llewellyn, CEO of Trailhead Biosystems. “This financing allows us to continue investing in product development, manufacturing excellence and the operational capabilities needed to support long-term customer success.”
Company snapshot
Trailhead Biosystems, founded in 2015 as a spinout from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University, develops human cells with defined molecular and functional properties for drug discovery and regenerative medicine. The company says its HD-DoE® platform combines mathematical modeling and high-throughput robotics to optimize differentiation protocols for preclinical research-grade cell production.
Trailhead operates facilities in Beachwood, Ohio, and has a business development office in Kendall Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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