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Encellin is a technology company.
Encellin is a biotechnology company developing next-generation cell therapies, initially targeting endocrine disorders such as Type 1 Diabetes. The company's core offering is its Encapsulated Cell Replacement Therapy (ENCRT), which utilizes a minimally invasive implant. This proprietary system encases donor islet cells within a nanoporous membrane pouch, designed to safeguard them from the host immune system while enabling essential nutrient exchange and preventing fibrotic overgrowth.
The company was co-founded in 2016 by Dr. Crystal Nyitray, who serves as CEO, and Dr. Grace Wei, the COO. Their work is rooted in technology initially developed in Dr. Tejal Desai's lab at the University of California, San Francisco. The foundational insight stemmed from Dr. Nyitray’s invention of a dime-sized cell encapsulation technology capable of isolating therapeutic cells to protect them from immune rejection.
Encellin’s product is intended for patients suffering from endocrine disorders, beginning with Type 1 Diabetes. The company's vision centers on delivering transformative cell therapies that achieve long-term cell survival and function. Their ultimate aim is to offer solutions that alleviate the need for chronic immunosuppression in patients requiring cell replacement.
Encellin has raised $15.9M across 2 funding rounds.
Encellin has raised $15.9M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Encellin has raised $15.9M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Encellin's investors include Alex Morgan, Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, SV Latam Capital, Sand Hill Angels.
Encellin is a San Francisco-based biotechnology company developing Encapsulated Cell Replacement Therapy (EnCRT), an implantable nano-porous pouch that encapsulates therapeutic cells to deliver long-term treatment without immunosuppression. The platform enables cells to act as "smart factories," releasing therapeutics like insulin in response to physiological needs, starting with endocrine disorders such as type 1 diabetes.[1][2][3] It serves patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, where islet cell transplants traditionally require lifelong immune suppression; Encellin's device protects donor cells from immune attack while allowing biomolecule exchange, offering a minimally invasive, removable implant.[1][3] Early proof-of-concept in animals supports progression to first-in-human studies, with plans to expand to type 2 diabetes, stem cells, gene therapy, and enzyme replacement.[1][3]
Encellin emerged from over 10 years of research in Dr. Tejal Desai's lab at UCSF, where she developed nanofabricated membranes with precise pore structures for cell encapsulation.[1][2] Founded around 2017, the company licensed this proprietary technology exclusively from UCSF to address type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease impacting over 1 million Americans.[3] Dr. Desai, Professor and Chair of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at UCSF, brings expertise in micro/nanotechnologies, cellular behavior, and therapeutic delivery, envisioning precision medicine platforms.[2] Key early team members include advisors with experience in IND-enabling trials for islet cells and biologics, driving initial animal studies and awards like the 2016 Rosenmann Institute Innovation Award and 2017 Medtech Innovators recognition.[2][3] A $5.9M seed round co-led by Khosla Ventures and SV LatAm Capital fueled development of the "cell pouch" for chronic diseases.[5]
Encellin rides the wave of cell and gene therapy advancement, addressing a key bottleneck: immune rejection in transplants, which limits scalability for diseases like diabetes affecting millions.[1][3] Timing aligns with rising demand for off-the-shelf biologics and precision medicine, fueled by nanotechnology progress and regulatory nods for encapsulation tech. Market tailwinds include a $15B+ diabetes therapy sector and growing investment in implantable devices that reduce lifelong drug burdens.[3][5] By enabling broader cell therapy adoption without immunosuppression, Encellin influences the ecosystem, potentially accelerating clinical entry for donor-derived or engineered cells and paving the way for "living drugs" in autoimmunity and beyond.[1][2]
Encellin is poised for clinical milestones, with first-in-human diabetes trials validating EnCRT and unlocking a pipeline across endocrine and complex indications.[1][3] Trends like AI-optimized cell engineering and modular implants will amplify its platform, while partnerships (e.g., with ventures like Khosla) bolster scaling. Influence may grow as a leader in immunoprotected therapies, transforming chronic care from daily management to single implants—echoing its mission to meet unmet needs through Desai's pioneering tech.[2][5]
Encellin has raised $15.9M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $9.9M Other Equity in December 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 13, 2023 | $9.9M Other Equity | Alex Morgan | Y Combinator |
| Aug 1, 2021 | $6.0M Seed | Khosla Ventures, SV Latam Capital | Sand Hill Angels, Y Combinator |