What Cha Bio&Diostech does

CHA Biotech Co., Ltd. (Cha Bio&Diostech, KOSDAQ listed) is a Seoul-headquartered, Seongnam-anchored biotechnology group that has built a fully integrated cell and gene therapy business spanning proprietary therapy R&D, GMP-grade contract manufacturing, and global commercialization. The company is ranked 4th globally in stem cell patent applications and holds 86 patents on NK cell cultivation technology, supporting a clinical-stage pipeline that includes CordSTEM (stroke, degenerative lumbar disc disease, premature ovarian insufficiency, knee cartilage defects), hESC-RPE therapies for age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt disease, and CBT101, an autologous NK cell therapy for solid tumors with U.S. FDA orphan drug designation. Its CDMO operations run through Matica BioLabs in Korea, Matica Biotechnology in College Station, Texas (completed 2022, with a second plant in development), and Matica BioJapan/TCC Tokyo — with Matica BioLabs being the first Korean holder of all three Advanced Regenerative Bio Act permits and Matica BioJapan being the first foreign firm with MHLW-approved GMP cell culture status.

The company monetizes across a diversified portfolio: enterprise CDMO contracts with biotech developers (TiCARos, Calidi Biotherapeutics, Surgium Biotech, CytoImmune Therapeutics, Mongoose Bio, Child's Cure, KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, FromBio, Cell in Cells), large technology transfer and licensing deals (a USD 32M / KRW 43B agreement with Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine in 2023; KRW 54.2B AIRM transfer in 2019), subscription-based cord blood banking via i-Cord, NK cell storage and immune cell therapy under the BioInsurance umbrella, anti-aging wellness programs at CHAUM, precision medicine genomics services, and a Digital Healthcare IT division deploying hospital information systems and telemedicine platforms. Distribution is anchored by 96 medical centers across 7 countries (Korea, U.S., Japan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia), 1,800 doctors, and 14,000 members under the broader CHA Medical Group network.

Most recently, CHA Biotech has accelerated its capital formation and portfolio refocusing: it raised approximately USD 95 million across three rounds between November 2025 and January 2026 (from Kakao, LG CNS, Hanwha General Insurance, and Hanwha Life), acquired a 43% stake in Kakao Healthcare through Cha AI Healthcare, divested the CHA Vaccine Institute and Solidus Investment to refocus on core CGT and CDMO businesses, appointed Vice Chairman Won Tae Cha as CEO, and announced the K-Bio CIC open innovation hub at its 66,115 sqm Cell Gene Bioplatform facility in Pangyo Second Techno Valley alongside a MOU with Yonsei Biohealth Technology Holdings. Despite a 16% revenue CAGR through FY2025 (KRW 1,268.3B), the company remains operating loss-making (KRW -48.8B in FY2025) as it invests in CDMO capacity, clinical pipelines, and the new Cell Gene Biobank (65,127 sqm, expected 1H 2026).

Name

Cha Bio&Diostech

Legal name

CHA Biotech Co., Ltd.

Website

https://en.chabio.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CHA Biotech is a Seoul-based, KOSDAQ-listed cell and gene therapy group operating global GMP CDMO facilities (Korea, U.S., Japan) alongside a clinical-stage pipeline (CordSTEM, CBT101, hESC-RPE) and diversified consumer businesses including cord blood banking, NK cell storage, and anti-aging wellness.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO / Biotechnology Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell Therapy CDMO (HLAGABAD), Viral Vector Manufacturing Services (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral) (HLAAAKAD), mRNA/LNP & Nucleic Acid Therapeutics CDMO (HLAGABAF), GMP Quality, Validation & Regulatory Support (GMP/CSV/Qualification) (HLAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Cell therapy CDMO
• Cord blood banking
• Gene therapy manufacturing
• Regenerative medicine
• Biopharmaceutical services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization): Full-scale GMP production and testing of advanced biopharmaceuticals including cell and gene therapies, viral vectors, and cell therapies. Services span from process development and analytical development through commercial-scale manufacturing. Matica BioLabs operates in Korea, Matica Biotechnology in the U.S. (College Station, Texas), and Matica BioJapan in Tokyo. CDMO contracts signed with multiple clients including TiCARos, Calidi Biotherapeutics, Surgium Biotech, CytoImmune Therapeutics, Mongoose Bio, Child's Cure, and others.
2. Cord Blood Banking (i-Cord): Advanced cord blood storage and banking services for hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells. iCord is the world's-standard cord blood bank operated with CHA Health Systems' cryopreservation technology. Revenue from cord blood collection, processing, and long-term storage fees.
3. Bio Insurance (NK Cell Storage & Immune Cell Therapy): Exclusive immune and stem cell storage services alongside NK cell therapy solutions for anti-aging and treatment of intractable diseases. Services include NK cell separation, cultivation, storage, and administration at affiliated hospitals including TCC Tokyo.
4. CHAUM Anti-Aging Wellness: Comprehensive wellness programs including TheraSpa (hydrotherapy), personalized fitness (BeneFit Center), and health supplements. Membership-based model offering premium, personalized health solutions built on the Power Aging Healthcare System.
5. R&D and Licensing: Revenue from technology transfer agreements. In 2023, a USD 32 million (KRW 43 billion) technology transfer agreement was signed with Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Technology transfer to AIRM in 2019 generated KRW 54.2 billion. Includes joint R&D agreements and government-supported research programs.
6. Genomics and Precision Medicine: Precision medicine services through genomic research and diagnostics including molecular genetics laboratory (prenatal screening, genetic disease diagnostics), cytogenetics laboratory (chromosomal analysis), and reproductive genetics laboratory (pre-implantation genetic testing).
7. Healthcare Consulting: Consulting services for global expansion of Power Aging Life Centers, including feasibility studies, pre-operation consulting (financial modeling, organizational design), and operation/management consulting for healthcare institutions.
8. Digital Healthcare IT: Development and deployment of telemedicine platforms, hospital information systems (HIS), mobile health solutions, and AI/Big Data-powered healthcare platforms. Services include system integration, CRM, and global hospital IT operations support.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cha Bio&Diostech operates a vertically integrated global cell and gene therapy platform offering CDMO contract manufacturing of cell therapies, gene therapies, and viral vectors, alongside proprietary regenerative medicine pipelines (CordSTEM, CBT101, hESC-RPE). Through its subsidiaries Matica BioLabs, Matica Biotechnology (Texas), and Matica BioJapan, the company delivers GMP manufacturing services across Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and complements these with cord blood banking (iCord), NK cell and immune cell storage (BioInsurance), anti-aging wellness (CHAUM), genomics diagnostics, healthcare IT, and consulting services.

Product overview

CHA Biotech operates as a fully integrated global bio company with a diversified portfolio of eight core business divisions organized around cell and gene therapy R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization. The portfolio comprises: (1) iCord Cord Blood Bank — advanced cord blood banking using proprietary cryopreservation technology; (2) BioInsurance — NK cell and stem cell storage services with 86 patents in NK cell cultivation; (3) CHAUM — anti-aging wellness center offering TheraSpa, fitness, and supplements; (4) IT — digital healthcare platforms and hospital IT systems leveraging AI and Big Data; (5) CDMO — global GMP contract manufacturing spanning Korea, USA, and Japan through Matica BioLabs, Matica Biotechnology, and Matica BioJapan; (6) Consulting — advisory services for Power Aging Life Center global expansion; (7) Genomics — precision medicine through molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and reproductive genetics laboratories; and (8) R&D Pipeline — developing cell and gene therapies including CordSTEM, hESC-RPE, CBT101, and CHATIL across multiple therapeutic areas. The company maintains a global healthcare network spanning 7 countries with 96 medical centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Matica Biolabs: CDMO subsidiary specializing in cell and gene therapy development and production in Korea
• Matica Biotechnology
• Matica BioJapan (TCC Tokyo)
• i-Cord
• CHAUM
• BioInsurance
• City Fertility Center
• Singapore Medical Group (SMG)
• CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
• CMG Pharmaceutical

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,311 NK cell therapy treatments performed at TCC Tokyo (September 2014–December 2023) with confirmed efficacy and safety.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yonsei Biohealth Technology HoldingscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026CHA Biotech signed an MOU with Yonsei Biohealth Technology Holdings to jointly identify and nurture biohealth startups, linking early R&D through clinical development, manufacturing, and global market entry. CHA Biotech plans to allocate 10,000 sqm of its 66,115-sqm Cell Gene Bioplatform facility in Pangyo Second Techno Valley to the K-Bio-CIC Open Innovation Center, modeled after Cambridge Innovation Center, with operations in H2 2026. The partnership combines Yonsei University's research achievements and clinical expertise with CHA Biotech's cell and gene therapy R&D capabilities and global manufacturing network.
• Miltenyi BioteccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CHA Biotech and Miltenyi Biotec are collaborating on CAR-NK cell therapy development, including automated large-scale manufacturing process development for CAR-NK cells. Miltenyi Biotec Korea also collaborates separately on automated large-scale manufacturing process development for CAR-NK cells.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2026CHA Biotech and Thermo Fisher Scientific are building global biotech research infrastructure for K-Bio CIC (Korea-Bio Innovation Center), providing advanced scientific equipment and infrastructure support for the open innovation center at Pangyo Second Techno Valley.
• CHA Vaccine InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026CHA Bio Group is accelerating portfolio restructuring focused on core businesses through the sale of CHA Vaccine Institute stake, having previously held a strategic stake in the vaccine research institute acquired in 2011.
• TiCARoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Matica Biolabs, a CHA Biotech subsidiary, signed a CDMO agreement with Korean biotech TiCARos to produce clinical trial material for TiCARos' solid tumor CAR-T candidate TC091, which uses TiCARos' proprietary CLIP CAR platform. The candidate received selection as a Korea Drug Development Fund project and designation under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's Bio Challenger program.
• Kakao HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2025Cha Bio Group acquired 43% stake in Kakao Healthcare through a share-swap agreement involving capital injection and integration of various healthcare platforms into its global network. This represents a strategic push into AI-integrated digital healthcare through Cha AI Healthcare, combining Kakao's platform reach with CHA's healthcare expertise.
• Calidi BiotherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 September 2025Matica Biotechnology signed a CDMO agreement with U.S.-based Calidi Biotherapeutics for oncolytic virus therapy production, expanding Matica's U.S. client portfolio and therapeutic modality capabilities.
• Surgium BiotechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Matica Biotechnology signed an AAV vector manufacturing agreement with Surgium Biotech, a U.S.-based biotech company, for viral vector production services.
• Texas A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Matica Biotechnology signed strategic agreements with Texas A&M University for CGT (Cell and Gene Therapy) research and development, building on a comprehensive joint research agreement signed in 2021. Partnership leverages Texas A&M University's CIADM program for advanced GMP expertise and top-tier research capabilities in the U.S.
• Hanwha General Insurance and Hanwha LifeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025CHA Biotech signed a strategic agreement with Hanwha General Insurance and Hanwha Life including equity investment, as part of the company's broader capital-raising and strategic partnership initiatives announced in early 2026.
• Child's CureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Matica Biotechnology signed a CDMO contract with U.S.-based Child's Cure for the development of pediatric therapies, expanding Matica's U.S. market presence in specialized therapeutic areas.
• Centenaire BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Material transfer agreement signed with Centenaire Biosciences for NK cell therapy combination therapies. Expanded collaboration with Centenaire Biosciences for combination studies involving NK cells and antibodies, building on initial material transfer agreement from 2023.
• CytoImmune Therapeutics and Mongoose BiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Matica Biotechnology entered into CDMO agreements with U.S.-based CytoImmune Therapeutics and Mongoose Bio for cell therapy manufacturing, expanding its U.S. client base in the CAR-T and cell therapy space.
• KaliVir ImmunotherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Matica Biotechnology signed a letter of intent (LOI) with U.S.-based KaliVir Immunotherapeutics for CDMO services, representing an additional partnership in the U.S. immunotherapy market.
• LG CNSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025CHA Biotech and LG CNS established a strategic partnership including equity investment, announced in early 2026 as part of CHA Biotech's portfolio restructuring and strategic technology initiatives.
• TreovirminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Matica Biotechnology initiated development of a pediatric brain tumor therapy in collaboration with U.S.-based Treovir, demonstrating expansion into specialized oncology applications.
• JINCOREminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023CHA General Research Institute signed a joint R&D agreement with JINCORE for gene therapy targeting rare blood disorders, expanding CHA Biotech's gene therapy pipeline.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Celltrion: Korean-listed biopharmaceutical company developing biosimilars, novel biologics, and cell therapy products. Comparable as a KOSDAQ-listed Korean biotech with global commercialization, providing reference valuation and portfolio strategy insight relative to CHA Biotech's KOSDAQ ticker.
• SK Bioscience: Korean-listed biopharmaceutical manufacturer with vaccine and cell/gene therapy investment focus. Comparable as a Korean-listed biotech with global GMP manufacturing ambitions, providing a regional peer read on KOSDAQ valuations and biomanufacturing strategy.

Direct peers

• Lonza Group: Global leader in cell and gene therapy CDMO with viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing across the U.S. and Europe. Most directly comparable to Matica BioLabs, Matica Biotechnology, and the upcoming Cell Gene Biobank in modality coverage (viral vectors, cell therapies) and B2B service delivery model.
• Catalent (Cell & Gene Therapy): Major CDMO with deep cell and gene therapy capabilities including viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing. Closest pure-play benchmark for MATICA's CDMO service offering and revenue mix, particularly for lentiviral and AAV vector production.
• Minaris Regenerative Medicine: Cell therapy-focused CDMO spun from Hitachi Chemical with manufacturing sites in Japan, Germany, and the U.S. Closely comparable to CHA Biotech's tri-geography cell therapy CDMO footprint spanning Korea, U.S., and Japan.
• AGC Biologics: Global CDMO offering gene therapy (viral vector) and cell therapy manufacturing services. Directly comparable to Matica BioLabs and Matica Biotechnology in modality, regulatory positioning, and B2B service delivery model for biotech customers.
• WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi AppTec): Global CT/DMO with substantial cell and gene therapy capabilities including viral vector, cell therapy, and plasmid DNA manufacturing. Closely comparable service portfolio to CHA Biotech's CDMO business, though serving largely U.S./European biotech customers from a non-Korean base.

Broad incumbents

• Samsung Biologics: Korea-headquartered mega-CDMO for biologics with growing cell/gene therapy investments. Comparable as a Korean-listed CDMO at much larger scale, providing a useful benchmark on capacity utilization, pricing, and KOSDAQ-listed Korean biotech valuation dynamics that CHA Biotech competes against.

Emerging players

• Miltenyi Biotec: Cell therapy technology and services provider with CDMO capabilities, including automated manufacturing platforms for CAR-NK and other cell therapies. Already a CHA Biotech collaboration partner for automated CAR-NK manufacturing process development, making it both a peer and a counterparty.

Others

• Aldevron (Danaher): Critical raw materials supplier (plasmids, proteins, nucleic acids) to cell and gene therapy developers, now part of Danaher. Comparable as an enabling supplier feeding into CDMO customers that Matica Biotechnology and Matica BioLabs serve.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cha Bio&Diostech