2025.04.28
Tokyo,Japan-[April 28 2025] Craif Inc., a molecular diagnostic company that has developed a miRNA based early cancer detection platform, announced the completion of the 2nd close of its Series C round, bringing total funding for the round to US$22 million. Including grants and debt financing, Craif has now raised a cumulative total of approximately US$57 million to date.
The round was led by existing investor X&KSK and joined by new participants including Colorado-based Unreasonable Syndicate — the investment arm of the Unreasonable Group, diagnostic kit leader TAUNS Laboratories, Inc., Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., Aozora Bank Group,and others.
Craif will use the new funding to expand its R&D and testing services in Japan. In the United States, the company will continue building out its organizational presence and bolstering R&D capabilities to pursue FDA approval and insurance reimbursement.
Note: USD conversions are based on the exchange rate published by MUFG Bank on [14 April 2025] (1 USD = 142.23 JPY).
■ Expanding Presence in the United States
Craif is significantly strengthening its U.S. operations as part of its global commercialization strategy. The company has established an R&D lab in Irvine, California, and plans to open a business office in San Diego. It has already begun collecting pancreatic cancer samples in collaboration with 30 medical institutions across 15 U.S. states. Craif is now accelerating local research and development, as well as commercialization efforts in the U.S., with the goal of obtaining FDA approval and insurance reimbursement.
■ Driving Innovation in Early Cancer Detection
Founded in 2018 as a spinout from Nagoya University, Craif’s mission is to help people live out their natural lifespan by enabling early detection and personalized treatment of disease. Utilizing proprietary AI-driven technology to analyze urinary microRNA (miRNA), Craif launched its early cancer detection test, miSignal, in 2022. The test is designed to identify risk of hard-to-detect cancers, such as pancreatic and lung cancer, at extremely early stages.
Since its Series B funding in 2021, Craif has rapidly scaled operations in Japan. miSignal is now available at over 1,000 medical institutions and 500 pharmacies nationwide, as well as via corporate wellness programs and online platforms. Craif has accumulated over 42,000 biospecimens, with research results published in approximately 60 papers and conference presentations. A recent study validating early detection of pancreatic cancer was featured in eClinicalMedicine, a journal in The Lancet family.
In addition, the company has doubled the size of its certified clinical laboratory and increased testing throughput by over 15 times. In April 2024, Craif initiated clinical trials in Japan to obtain regulatory approval for its software-based diagnostic program targeting pancreatic cancer.
■ Message from the CEO
“At Craif, our vision is to build a world where no one fears cancer and everyone can live a long, fulfilling life. This funding enables us to expand our testing solutions across Japan and work toward establishing a new model for cancer prevention and early detection. We are committed to scaling our science-driven innovation globally, bringing ‘Made in Japan’ healthcare technology to the world,” said Ryuichi Onose, CEO and Co-Founder of Craif.
■ Summary of Series C(2nd close) Funding
・Series C(2nd close) Funding:
- US$14 million (Series C Funding:US$22 million/Cumulative total: US$57 million)
- Equity: US$12 million
- Debt: US$2 million
・New investors:
- Aozora Corporate Investment Co., Ltd.,
- Unreasonable Group
- Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.
- MR Co., Ltd.
- TAUNS Laboratories, Inc.
- individual investors
・New lenders:
- Aozora Corporate Investment Co., Ltd.,
・Existing investors (Series C 1st close):
- X&KSK
- Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
- TOYOTA BOSHOKU CORPORATION
■ About Unreasonable Group
Unreasonable Group is a Colorado-based, international company that supports a Fellowship for growth-stage entrepreneurs, channels exclusive deal-flow to investors, and partners with institutions to discover profit in solving global challenges. Its investment arm, the Unreasonable Syndicate, has funded 20 ventures globally to date, investing exclusively in companies that are addressing some of the greatest challenges of our time with bold and scalable solutions.
Find out information about Unreasonable Group
here: www.unreasonablegroup.com
■ About Craif Inc.
Craif is harnessing the power of miRNA in an easy to collect urine sample to detect diseases earlier than the standard of care in order to optimize treatment and improve outcomes. We have launched a MultiCancer Early Detection test in Japan (miSignal), that tests for seven cancers. The company has brought this technology to the US to develop an early pancreatic cancer detection assay for high risk patients.