United Immunity
United Immunity is a Tokyo-based Japanese biotech developing the Myeloid Targeting Platform™, a pullulan-based nanoparticle drug delivery technology that selectively targets macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor binding for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine applications, serving pharmaceutical partners through licensing and co-development agreements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What United Immunity does
United Immunity Co., Ltd. is a Japanese privately-held biotechnology company founded in November 2017 by Dr. Naozumi Harada and headquartered in Tokyo, with research operations at the Creative Lab for Innovation in Kobe (CLIK). The company develops and commercializes a proprietary drug delivery platform called the Myeloid Targeting Platform™, which consists of two nanoparticle formats built on pullulan polysaccharide chemistry: Pullulan Nanoparticle (PNP) for delivering small molecules, peptides, and proteins; and Pullulan-coated PEG-free Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP) for delivering nucleic acids including mRNA, siRNA, and DNA. Both formats selectively bind to the DC-SIGN (CD209) C-type lectin receptor expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells, enabling targeted delivery to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and lymph node myeloid cells while avoiding the anti-PEG antibody issues associated with conventional lipid nanoparticles.
The company's pipeline targets cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease vaccines, and fibrosis applications, with lead candidates including UI-102 (TLR7/8 agonist in PNP for solid tumors, FDA IND cleared March 2026), UI-103 (in vivo CAR-Macrophages using P-LNP), and UI-201 (T-cell booster vaccine for TCR-T cell therapy in synovial sarcoma, Phase 1 completed). United Immunity has exclusively licensed foundational T-ignite® technology from Kyoto University and Mie University, and holds fundamental patents in Japan covering the Myeloid Targeting Platform and P-LNP compositions, with international filings underway.
The company operates a B2B platform licensing and co-development business model, generating revenue through technology licensing (upfront fees, milestones, royalties), research collaboration agreements with pharmaceutical partners (including AstraZeneca and Astellas/Xyphos), and non-dilutive government grants from Japanese agencies such as NEDO and AMED. As a pre-commercial biotech, United Immunity does not yet sell products and depends on partnership income and grant funding to advance its clinical pipeline. The company is supported by venture investors including Saisei Ventures, UTEC, Axil Capital, TOHO Holdings, and Rico Biomedical Startup Fund, and secured venture debt from Aozora Corporate Investment in March 2024.
United Immunity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- United Immunity
- Legal name
- United Immunity Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://unitedimmunity.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- United Immunity is a Tokyo-based Japanese biotech developing the Myeloid Targeting Platform™, a pullulan-based nanoparticle drug delivery technology that selectively targets macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor binding for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine applications, serving pharmaceutical partners through licensing and co-development agreements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
United Immunity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cancer Immunotherapy / Nanoparticle Drug Delivery
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy) (HLAAAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dendritic Cell & Other APC-based Therapies (HLAAABAF), Therapeutic Vaccines (e.g., Cancer/Chronic Infection) (HLAIAEAG)
Keywords
Where United Immunity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
United Immunity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: United Immunity licenses its Myeloid Targeting Platform technology, PNP, and P-LNP to pharmaceutical partners for use in their drug development programs. Licensing revenue derives from upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on approved products.
- Co-Development and Research Collaborations: The company enters joint research and co-development agreements with pharma companies (e.g., AstraZeneca, Astellas/Xyphos) where collaborative R&D generates funding through research fees, milestone payments, and future commercial royalties.
- Government Grants: United Immunity receives non-dilutive funding from Japanese government agencies including NEDO (Deep Tech/Startup support grant) and AMED (Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem; CiCLE grants), supporting preclinical and clinical development of pipeline programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
United Immunity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
United Immunity develops and licenses the Myeloid Targeting Platform™, a proprietary nanoparticle drug delivery system comprising Pullulan Nanoparticle (PNP) and PEG-free Pullulan-coated Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP) that selectively deliver therapeutic payloads (small molecules, peptides, proteins, mRNA, siRNA, DNA) to macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor binding. The company applies this platform to build an internal pipeline of immuno-oncology drug candidates (UI-102, UI-103, UI-201) and offers the technology to pharmaceutical partners through licensing, co-development, and research collaborations.
Product overview
United Immunity is a biotech company developing a proprietary Myeloid Targeting Platform™ consisting of two nanoparticle delivery systems: Pullulan Nanoparticle (PNP) for small molecules, peptides, and proteins, and Pullulan Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP) for nucleic acids (mRNA, siRNA, DNA). Both technologies selectively target macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor binding. The company applies this platform to develop pipeline candidates including UI-102 (TLR7/8 agonist in PNP for solid tumors), UI-103 (in vivo CAR-Macrophages using P-LNP), and UI-201 (T-cell booster vaccine for TCR-T therapy). The platform enables drug delivery to tumor-associated macrophages and dendritic cells for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Myeloid Targeting Platform™: Proprietary drug delivery platform using pullulan nanoparticles (PNP) and pullulan-coated lipid nanoparticles (P-LNP) for selective targeting of macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor.
Products and services
- Myeloid Targeting Platform™ A proprietary nanoparticle-based drug delivery platform technology that enables selective delivery of therapeutic agents to disease- and vaccination-associated macrophages and dendritic cells through specific binding of pullulan polysaccharide to the DC-SIGN receptor. The platform comprises two nanoparticle formats (PNP and P-LNP) supporting delivery of small molecules, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids, and is licensed to and co-developed with pharmaceutical partners for cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, fibrosis, and metabolic disease applications.
- Pullulan Nanoparticle (PNP) A nanoparticle consisting of cholesterol-modified pullulan polysaccharide formed by self-assembly through hydrophobic interaction. PNP encapsulates hydrophobic small molecules, peptides, and proteins and is administered via intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection. It specifically targets DC-SIGN-expressing macrophages and dendritic cells for drug delivery and is non-antigenic, supporting multiple dosing.
- Pullulan Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP) A next-generation PEG-free lipid nanoparticle technology coated with pullulan polysaccharide, designed for delivery of mRNA, siRNA, and DNA to disease- and vaccination-associated myeloid cells. P-LNP avoids anti-PEG antibody-associated adverse effects and provides selectivity toward macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN binding.
- UI-102 A PNP formulation encapsulating a TLR7/8 agonist for systemic injection targeting M2-like tumor-associated macrophages. UI-102 selectively accumulates in tumors where it repolarizes immunosuppressive M2-like TAMs into immunostimulatory M1-like TAMs, converting 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors. It is in Phase 1/2 development for solid tumors as monotherapy or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, and received FDA IND clearance in March 2026.
- UI-103 (In Vivo CAR-Macrophages) An in vivo CAR-macrophage therapy program using P-LNP to deliver CAR mRNA directly to tumor-associated macrophages. The approach aims to generate CAR-M cells within the patient's body for off-the-shelf treatment of solid tumors with lower manufacturing costs and potential for repeat dosing, supported by an AMED multi-year grant.
- UI-201 A T-cell booster vaccine consisting of PNP carrying NY-ESO-1 long peptide antigen for enhancing engineered T-cell therapies. UI-201 delivers tumor antigen to dendritic cells in lymph nodes to enhance proliferation and tumor-killing activity of TCR-T cells and has completed a Phase 1 trial in combination with NY-ESO-1 TCR-T therapy for advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
Quantifiable outcome
- UI-102 showed strong single-agent anti-tumor activity in multiple preclinical cold tumor models and clear synergy with checkpoint inhibitors in treatment-resistant tumor models
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use United Immunity
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
United Immunity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
United Immunity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Carisma TherapeuticsmajorUnited Immunity completed acquisition of macrophage-related technology assets from Carisma Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and liver fibrosis. The assets will be combined with United Immunity's PEG-free P-LNP delivery system to generate in vivo CAR-M and other genetically engineered macrophages.
- University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Nagasaki University, Aichi Cancer CentercoreMulti-institution research collaboration for preclinical development of COVID-19 vaccine using Myeloid Targeting Platform. Published results in npj Vaccines (September 2024) demonstrating superior killer T cell induction and infection protection in preclinical animal models.
- AstraZenecamajorUnited Immunity entered into a research collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca for the development of next-generation lipid nanoparticles for selective delivery of mRNA and other nucleic acids to immune cells using the Myeloid Targeting Platform. United Immunity provides its proprietary pullulan lipid nanoparticle (P-LNP) technology; AstraZeneca contributes research collaboration resources for joint development.
- BNC KoreaminorJoint research agreement for next-generation nanoparticle-based T cell-inducing protein vaccine technology targeting SARS-CoV-2. United Immunity provides its nanoparticle vaccine platform; BNC Korea contributes regional development and commercialization resources for the Korean market.
- Xyphos/Astellas PharmamajorJoint research agreement with Xyphos (US subsidiary of Astellas Pharma) for next-generation cancer immunotherapy using proprietary nanotechnology (nanoAIR program). Collaboration focused on combining United Immunity's nanoparticle delivery technology with Xyphos/Astellas's cell therapy capabilities.
- Kyoto University and Mie UniversitycoreExclusive license agreement for T-ignite® technology patents applied by Kyoto University and Mie University. These patents form the foundation of the company's original nanoparticle vaccine technology.
- UCSF (University of California, San Francisco)minorMaterial Transfer Agreement (MTA) with Professor Hideho Okada's lab at UCSF for collaborative research on cancer immunotherapy using T-ignite® technology. Research collaboration focused on glioblastoma and other cancer applications.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
United Immunity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
United Immunity social profiles
Digital presenceUnited Immunity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
United Immunity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
United Immunity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
United Immunity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about United Immunity
What does United Immunity do?
United Immunity develops and licenses the Myeloid Targeting Platform™, a proprietary nanoparticle drug delivery system comprising Pullulan Nanoparticle (PNP) and PEG-free Pullulan-coated Lipid Nanoparticle (P-LNP) that selectively deliver therapeutic payloads (small molecules, peptides, proteins, mRNA, siRNA, DNA) to macrophages and dendritic cells via DC-SIGN receptor binding. The company applies this platform to build an internal pipeline of immuno-oncology drug candidates (UI-102, UI-103, UI-201) and offers the technology to pharmaceutical partners through licensing, co-development, and research collaborations.
Is United Immunity a public or private company?
United Immunity is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was United Immunity founded?
United Immunity was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is United Immunity based?
United Immunity is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does United Immunity make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are co-Development and Research Collaborations and government Grants.
Does United Immunity have an API?
No public API is recorded for United Immunity.
What industry is United Immunity in?
United Immunity's product category is Cancer Immunotherapy / Nanoparticle Drug Delivery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAEAB, Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy), with a secondary code of HLAAABAF, Dendritic Cell & Other APC-based Therapies. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.