Curocell
- Company typePublic
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDaejeon, South Korea
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Curocell firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Curocell
- Legal name
- Curocell Inc. (주식회사 큐로셀)
- Website
- https://curocellbtx.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Curocell industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CAR-T Cell Therapy
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies (HLAAABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC)
Keywords
Where Curocell is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Daejeon
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Curocell business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CAR-T Product Sales (RIMQARTO/안발셀): Future primary revenue stream from one-time sale of in-house manufactured CAR-T cell therapy products to hospitals; pre-revenue as of fiscal year 2024 (operating revenue KRW 0). Health insurance reimbursement pathway engaged via MFDS approval (Apr 2026) and HIRA reimbursement evaluation (filed Feb 2025).
- Turnkey Technology Export / Out-licensing: Future revenue from turnkey technology transfer and joint development with global pharma/biotech partners; OVIS™ technology licensing to overseas players (announced Oct 2024 as go-to-global strategy).
- Government R&D Grants: Historical revenue from Korean government R&D programs including National New Drug Development Project (국가신약개발사업, ~5.2 billion KRW support for CRC01 Phase 2), Korea Disease Control, and Daejeon city investment subsidies.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Curocell product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Curocell develops, manufactures, and commercializes autologous CAR-T cell therapies for cancer, anchored by the proprietary OVIS™ dual-checkpoint (PD-1/TIGIT) platform. The lead approved product RIMQARTO Inj. (anbalcabtagene autoleucel / Anbal-cel / CRC01) is a CD19-directed CAR-T for adult relapsed/refractory DLBCL and PMBCL, with indication-expansion programs in adult B-ALL, severe SLE, and CNS lymphoma. The company also operates Korea's largest commercial CAR-T GMP facility (10,636 m², ~700 treatments/year capacity) and the CUROLINK integrated tracking solution connecting hospitals, manufacturing, logistics, and ERP systems end-to-end.
Product overview
Curocell is a Korean CAR-T cell therapy specialist with a platform-plus-products architecture. Its proprietary OVIS™ (OVercome Immune Suppression) platform — which simultaneously expresses a CAR while downregulating PD-1 and TIGIT — underpins the lead approved product RIMQARTO Inj. (anbalcabtagene autoleucel, also known as Anbal-cel / CRC01), Korea's first domestically approved CAR-T for relapsed/refractory DLBCL and PMBCL. Indication-expansion programs of Anbal-cel extend the same OVIS™-based product into adult B-cell ALL and severe SLE (autoimmune disease). For commercialization, Curocell pairs its GMP manufacturing capacity (Daejeon commercial plant + Samsung Seoul Hospital clinical GMP) with the CUROLINK integrated supply-chain and treatment-management solution, which connects hospital, manufacturing, logistics, and ERP systems for end-to-end RIMQARTO delivery. On the R&D side, Curocell is layering next-generation platforms and pipeline candidates on top of OVIS™ — including the Hypercytokine platform unveiled at BIO USA 2025 for solid tumors and persistence, and CD5-targeted CAR-T candidates (autologous and allogeneic γδ) for T-cell lymphoma — together with collaborative viral-vector manufacturing through the GenScript ProBio partnership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RIMQARTO (림카토): Lead CAR-T cell therapy product brand; RIMQARTO Inj. received full MFDS marketing authorization on 29 April 2024.
- Anbal-cel (안발셀)
- Cevolution
Products and services
- RIMQARTO Inj. (림카토주) / Anbal-cel (CRC01) - CD19 CAR-T Cell Therapy
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 2 DLBCL trial: 67.1% complete response rate and 75.3% overall response rate (n=73 evaluable patients)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Curocell
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Curocell technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Curocell partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record.
- ProBio Inc.Strategic CDMO partner for Anbal-cel (CRC01) manufacturing. Completed process characterization within four months; secured MFDS GMP certification — the first-ever for a lentiviral vector manufacturing facility in Korea. Program now in commercial manufacturing phase. Supports BLA regulatory approval and commercial readiness for Korea's first domestically developed CAR-T therapy.
- GenScript ProBio (진스크립트프로바이오)MOU signed November 10, 2023 for strategic cooperation on viral vector manufacturing for next-generation CAR-T therapy development. Covers end-to-end cooperation including viral vector development, manufacturing, and clinical trials. GenScript ProBio is a global player in viral vector manufacturing; addresses viral vector supply bottleneck for CAR-T development. CEO Patrick Liu partnership established.
- Sinwoo Accounting (신우회계법인)Appointed as Curocell's external statutory auditor for fiscal years 9 through 11 (2024.1.1 – 2026.12.31), 3-year contract. Engagement contract executed Feb 7, 2024 and appointment Feb 6, 2024. Per Korean external audit law.
- SK Plasma (SK플라즈마)Strategic investor and partner in Pre-IPO round (Jan 2022). Plans to jointly pursue domestic and international commercialization of Curocell's next-generation CAR-T products. Brings plasma/biologics manufacturing expertise and SK Group distribution capabilities.
- Stanford University (스탠퍼드)Joint research collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital. Co-presented new CAR-T technology results at AACR (April 2026). Supports global research network and KOL engagement for Curocell's technology.
- Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원)Joint research collaboration with Stanford University; co-presented new CAR-T technology at AACR (April 2026). Curocell also signed solid tumor CAR-T development government project with Seoul National University (announced May 2025). Multiple roles: clinical trial site, research partner, government project collaborator.
- KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)Co-developer of OVIS™ (OVercome Immune Suppression) platform technology with Curocell R&D team. Technology applies to blood cancers and various solid tumors; KAIST hosts joint conferences (e.g., KAI-X Biology Conference) and provides academic foundation for technology development.
- Woori Financial Group (우리금융그룹)Banking and financial partner that supported construction of Curocell's 10,636 m² global-standard commercial GMP facility. Group Chairman Lim Jong-ryong visited Curocell HQ September 2023 to discuss corporate finance innovation. Provides growth-stage financing and corporate banking services.
- Samsung Seoul Hospital (삼성서울병원) - CAR-T CenterPrimary clinical research partner since 2019. Hosts Curocell's 500 m² clinical GMP facility for investigational product manufacturing. Co-conducted Korea's first CAR-T clinical trial (Phase 1, April 2021 first dosing). Principal Investigator: Prof. Kim Won-seok (hematology-oncology). 6-hospital consortium for Phase 2 trial included Samsung Seoul Hospital as lead site.
- Daejeon Metropolitan City (대전시)Government partner providing investment subsidies for Curocell's CAR-T GMP facility construction at Dungok district in Daejeon International Science Business Belt (July 2022). Supports regional economic activation and industrial structure advancement. Provided support for the 17,325 m² (5,200 pyeong) CAR-T Center construction.
- Seoul National University (서울대학교)Government project partner for solid tumor CAR-T development (announced May 2025). SNU selected as co-research institution for next-generation solid tumor CAR-T therapy development project. Strengthens Curocell's solid tumor pipeline research foundation.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Curocell competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Novartis: Maker of Kymriah, the first globally approved CD19 CAR-T therapy and the only other CAR-T reimbursed in Korea. Curocell's RIMQARTO is explicitly benchmarked against Kymriah in head-to-head MAIC analyses, and a Curocell commercialization executive previously led Kymriah's Korean launch.
- Gilead Sciences (Kite Pharma): Through Kite Pharma, Gilead markets Yescarta and Tecartus, the leading second-line and adult ALL CAR-T franchises globally. Both compete in the same r/r DLBCL and adult ALL indications Curocell targets, and represent the primary benchmark for Curocell's clinical positioning.
- Bristol Myers Squibb: Markets Breyanzi (CD19 CAR-T) and Abecma (BCMA CAR-T), directly competing in the r/r DLBCL and multiple myeloma indications Curocell is expanding into. Sets the global standard for efficacy and safety in second-generation CAR-T.
Direct peers
- JW Therapeutics: China-based CAR-T developer with relmacabtagene autoleucel (Carteyva), the first approved domestic CD19 CAR-T in China. Most directly comparable to Curocell as a regionally developed CAR-T pursuing similar hematologic indications and indication-expansion strategy.
- CARsgen Therapeutics: Chinese clinical-stage CAR-T company developing autologous and allogeneic CAR-Ts for hematologic and solid tumors, including a BCMA CAR-T (zevorcabtagene autoleucel). Comparable as an Asia-based, multi-indication CAR-T specialist pursuing both hematologic and solid-tumor opportunities.
- Allogene Therapeutics: US-based clinical-stage company pioneering allogeneic (off-the-shelf) CAR-T therapies. Highly comparable to Curocell's CD5 γδ allogeneic program and broader platform-plus-pipeline CAR-T development model.
- Autolus Therapeutics: UK/US clinical-stage CAR-T company with obecabtagene autoleucel (Aucatzyl) approved for adult r/r B-ALL. Most directly comparable to Curocell on indication expansion into B-ALL and as a peer CAR-T specialist of similar scale and stage.
- Atara Biotherapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing allogeneic T-cell and CAR-T therapies, including tabelecleucel for EBV+ lymphomas. Comparable to Curocell's CD5 T-cell lymphoma program and allogeneic CAR-T ambitions.
Regional players
- Fosun Pharmaceutical / Fosun Kairos: Major Chinese pharma group with CAR-T operations (Fosun Kairos, licensed Yescarta commercialization in China). Comparable as an Asia-region incumbent that combines domestic CAR-T manufacturing with global licensing partnerships — a model Curocell aspires to via Cevolution.
- Celltrion: Korean biopharmaceutical peer with biosimilars and emerging novel biologics pipeline, including cell therapy initiatives. Comparable as a fellow Korean listed biotech pursuing advanced therapy manufacturing at scale and benefiting from the same Korean drug-sovereignty tailwinds.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Curocell social profiles
Digital presenceCurocell compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Curocell financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Curocell leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Curocell subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Curocell funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Curocell M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Curocell
What does Curocell do?
Curocell develops, manufactures, and commercializes autologous CAR-T cell therapies for cancer, anchored by the proprietary OVIS™ dual-checkpoint (PD-1/TIGIT) platform. The lead approved product RIMQARTO Inj. (anbalcabtagene autoleucel / Anbal-cel / CRC01) is a CD19-directed CAR-T for adult relapsed/refractory DLBCL and PMBCL, with indication-expansion programs in adult B-ALL, severe SLE, and CNS lymphoma. The company also operates Korea's largest commercial CAR-T GMP facility (10,636 m², ~700 treatments/year capacity) and the CUROLINK integrated tracking solution connecting hospitals, manufacturing, logistics, and ERP systems end-to-end.
Is Curocell a public or private company?
Curocell is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Curocell founded?
Curocell was founded in 2016. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Curocell based?
Curocell is headquartered in Daejeon, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Curocell make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. CAR-T Product Sales (RIMQARTO/안발셀) is the primary driver. The others are turnkey Technology Export / Out-licensing and government R&D Grants.
Who are Curocell's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Novartis, Gilead Sciences (Kite Pharma) and Bristol Myers Squibb. Direct peers are JW Therapeutics, CARsgen Therapeutics, Allogene Therapeutics, Autolus Therapeutics and Atara Biotherapeutics. Regional players are Fosun Pharmaceutical / Fosun Kairos and Celltrion.
Does Curocell have an API?
No public API is recorded for Curocell.
What industry is Curocell in?
Curocell's product category is CAR-T Cell Therapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAC, CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAGABAC, Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2836.