What CHABIOTECH does

CHA Biotech Co., Ltd. (차바이오텍) is a South Korean publicly listed (KOSDAQ: CHABIO) biotechnology company founded in 2002 and headquartered in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. The company operates as a vertically integrated cell and gene therapy (CGT) platform, organized across seven business divisions: CDMO services (Matica BioLabs in Korea, Matica Biotechnology in Texas, Matica BioJapan in Tokyo, and the forthcoming 65,127 m² Cell Gene Biobank at 2nd Pangyo Techno Valley); iCord cord blood banking; BioInsurance NK cell and stem cell storage; CHAUM premium anti-aging wellness; an IT division building hospital information systems and AI/Big Data healthcare platforms; a healthcare consulting division; and a genomics/precision medicine diagnostics division. Technology foundations include 4th global ranking in stem cell patent applications, 86 patents in NK cell cultivation, the world's first vitrification technology for egg freezing (1998), and the proprietary MatiMax cell line for viral vector production.

The company generates revenue through a mix of subscription/recurring (cord blood and NK cell storage, CHAUM wellness memberships), enterprise CDMO contracts, technology transfer agreements (notably with Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine — USD 32 million in 2023 and KRW 54.2 billion in 2019), clinical research services, and integrated demand from the broader CHA Medical Group (91 medical centers, 14,000 employees, 1,800 doctors, 20,000 researchers across 7 countries). The R&D pipeline includes CBT101 (autologous NK cell therapy for solid tumors, FDA orphan drug designation), CordSTEM stem cell therapies (degenerative disc disease, acute stroke, premature ovarian insufficiency), and hESC-RPE therapies for ocular diseases.

CHA Biotech reported consolidated revenue of KRW 1,268,254 million (~USD 1 billion) in FY2025, a 16% CAGR over FY2019-FY2025, alongside an operating loss of KRW 48,775 million and net loss of KRW 146,708 million, reflecting heavy reinvestment in R&D and manufacturing capacity. The company is led by Vice Chairman and CEO Won Tae Cha (appointed 2026), who is positioning CHA Biotech as a focused global CGT bio company, evidenced by recent equity investments from LG CNS, Hanwha General Insurance/Hanwha Life, and a digital healthcare equity-exchange partnership with Kakao, alongside divestitures of non-core assets (CHA Vaccine Institute stake, Solidus Investment).

Name

CHABIOTECH

Legal name

(주)차바이오텍

Website

https://chabio.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHA Biotech is a South Korean KOSDAQ-listed cell and gene therapy company operating a global CDMO network (Korea, USA, Japan) alongside cord blood banking, NK cell storage, premium wellness, and digital healthcare divisions across 7 countries, generating ~USD 1 billion in FY2025 revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO Services

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Cell Therapy CDMO (HLAGABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE), Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)

Keywords

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

Headquarters

HQ city

성남시, 경기도

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CDMO Services: Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization services for cell and gene therapies, providing full-scale GMP production and testing across Korea, USA (Matica Biotechnology in Texas), and Japan. Revenue from manufacturing services, process development, and analytical development. Consolidated revenue reached KRW 1,268,254 million in FY2025.
2. Cord Blood Banking (i-Cord): Cord blood storage and banking services for hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells. Operates as the world's-standard cord blood bank with largest total assets among family cord blood banks in Korea.
3. Bio Insurance (Cell Storage): NK cell and stem cell storage services along with anti-aging and regenerative medicine solutions. Differentiated immune cell and stem cell storage services providing cutting-edge regenerative medical solutions.
4. CHAUM Wellness: Anti-aging center providing TheraSpa, personalized fitness programs, and tailored supplements. Wellness programs focused on Refresh, Energy, and Healthy Life under the Chaum Power Aging Healthcare System.
5. IT and Digital Healthcare: Digital healthcare platforms, mobile health information solutions, telemedicine systems, and advanced hospital IT systems development and management.
6. Consulting Services: Healthcare business consulting for designing and operating medical models using the Power Aging Life Center concept for global expansion.
7. Genomics and Precision Medicine: Genomic research and diagnostic services including molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and reproductive genetics for precision medicine delivery.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHA Biotech delivers end-to-end cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services across Korea (Matica BioLabs, Cell Gene Biobank), the USA (Matica Biotechnology, Texas), and Japan (Matica BioJapan/TCC Tokyo). Beyond CDMO, it operates the iCord cord blood bank, Bio Insurance NK cell storage, CHAUM premium anti-aging wellness centers, genomics diagnostics, and IT/digital healthcare platforms for hospitals, serving both enterprise biotech clients and individual consumers globally.

Product overview

CHA Biotech operates as a diversified global bio company organized into seven distinct business divisions and a research pipeline. The core offerings span the full cell and gene therapy value chain: (1) a CDMO division providing GMP manufacturing of cell and gene therapies through Matica BioLabs (Korea), Matica Biotechnology (USA), and Matica BioJapan, plus the upcoming Cell Gene Biobank; (2) iCord, a world-standard cord blood bank leveraging proprietary cryopreservation technology; (3) Bio Insurance, a differentiated NK cell and stem cell banking and therapy service with 86 patents; (4) CHAUM, a premium anti-aging wellness center with TheraSpa, fitness, and supplement offerings; (5) an IT division developing AI and Big Data-powered digital healthcare platforms, hospital IT systems, and telemedicine; (6) a Consulting division supporting global expansion of Power Aging Life Centers; and (7) a Genomics division providing molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and reproductive genetics diagnostics for precision medicine. The R&D pipeline includes CBT101 (NK cell therapy for solid tumors), CordSTEM stem cell therapy candidates, and hESC-RPE therapies for ocular diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• i-Cord (아이코드): Cord blood banking services offering cord blood storage for stem cell preservation and future therapeutic use.
• BioInsurance (셀 인슈어런스)
• CHAUM (차움)
• Matica BioLabs (마티카바이오랩스)
• Matica Biotechnology
• TCC Tokyo (Total Cell Clinic)
• CordSTEM
• CBT101

Products and services

• CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) Services Global CDMO services offering full-cycle GMP production and testing of advanced biopharmaceuticals including cell therapies and gene therapies, across the U.S. (Matica Biotechnology, Texas), Japan (Matica BioJapan), and Korea (Matica BioLabs and forthcoming Cell Gene Biobank). Serves pharmaceutical and biotech companies needing specialized CGT manufacturing capacity, viral vector production, and process development.
• iCord Cord Blood Bank Advanced cord blood storage service leveraging CHA Health Systems' proprietary cryopreservation technology (vitrification). Provides cord blood banking for hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and immune cells to support treatment of leukemia, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and regenerative medicine applications for families and individuals.
• Bio Insurance (Cell Storage & Anti-aging) Differentiated NK cell and stem cell storage service backed by 86 proprietary patents in NK cell cultivation (as of May 2024). Provides anti-aging solutions and intractable disease treatment pathways through advanced regenerative medicine technology delivered via affiliated clinics including TCC Tokyo.
• CHAUM Premium Anti-aging Wellness Center Korea's premier anti-aging wellness center offering comprehensive wellness programs (Refresh, Energy, Healthy Life) through the Power Aging Healthcare System. Services include TheraSpa (customized metabolic and circulatory therapy), Benefit Center (one-on-one fitness with medical consultations), and curated Supplements, delivered via membership-based programs to affluent individual consumers.
• IT Division (Digital Healthcare Solutions) Medical IT and digital healthcare solutions merging healthcare expertise with AI and Big Data. Develops telemedicine platforms, clinical data warehouses (CDW), patient identification systems, hospital information systems (HIS), mobile health applications, and corporate health check-up management platforms for hospitals and healthcare organizations. Supports multilingual and global payment operations.
• Consulting Division (Healthcare Facility Consulting) Healthcare business consulting services leveraging the Power Aging Life Center model, covering feasibility studies, pre-operation consulting (financial modeling, organizational design), and ongoing operation and management consulting including quarterly and annual performance reviews, new medical technology adoption, and telemedicine implementation for global clients.
• Genomics Division (Precision Medicine Diagnostics) Precision medicine through genomic research and diagnostics, operating three specialized laboratories: Molecular Genetics Laboratory (prenatal screening and genetic disease diagnostics using next-generation sequencing), Cytogenetics Laboratory (30+ years of chromosomal analysis expertise), and Reproductive Genetics Laboratory (pre-implantation genetic testing). Services are available to individuals, fertility clinics, and healthcare providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 79.5% of NK cell therapy patients experienced improvement or stabilization
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miltenyi BioteccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration on CAR-NK cell therapy development. Also collaborated on automated large-scale manufacturing process development for CAR-NK cells with Miltenyi Biotec Korea.
• Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Strategic collaboration to build global biotech research infrastructure for K-Bio CIC (K-Bio Center for Innovation in Cell and Gene Therapy).
• Texas A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Comprehensive joint R&D agreement through Matica Biotechnology for CGT research and development. Includes CDMO services through Texas A&M's CIADM program. Strategic agreement signed for CGT R&D.
• VaxDome (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Joint development of antiviral hybrid vaccine with VaxDome. Partnership announced in 2026.
• KakaocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partnership in digital healthcare through equity exchange. CHA Bio Group formed partnership with Kakao in digital healthcare.
• Treovir (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration on pediatric brain tumor therapy development with US-based Treovir.
• Sartorius Korea BiotechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MOU signed for global stem cell line establishment and large-scale manufacturing process development.
• Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023USD 32 million technology transfer agreement signed with Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a subsidiary of Japan's Astellas Pharma, for stem cell/regenerative medicine technology. Additionally, technology transfer to AIRM generated KRW 54.2 billion in technology commercialization revenue in 2019.
• CHA Vaccine InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Joint development with CHA Vaccine Institute on cancer therapy combining NK cells and immune boosters.
• Centenaire BiosciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Material transfer agreement for NK cell therapy combination therapies with Centenaire Biosciences. Expanded collaboration for combination studies involving NK cells and antibodies.
• CHA University (차 의과학대학교)coreOthersRelated academic institution within CHA Medical Group ecosystem for research and talent development.
• CHA Medical Center (차병원)coreOthersCore medical institution within CHA network providing clinical trial capabilities and healthcare services.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. US-headquartered global life sciences incumbent operating Patheon CDMO plus the largest bioproduction tools/supplies portfolio (cell culture media, single-use bioreactors, viral vector production systems). Direct CGT commercial partner of CHA Biotech (K-Bio CIC build-out) and broader comparable given Patheon's contract manufacturing scale.

Direct peers

• AGC Biologics: Tokyo-based global CDMO with growing cell and gene therapy manufacturing capacity across the US, Europe, and Asia. Directly comparable as a multi-region CDMO serving pharma and biotech clients for biologics and advanced therapies, including viral vector production similar to CHA's Matica Bio platform.
• FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies: Japan-headquartered global CDMO (Fujifilm subsidiary) operating viral vector, cell therapy, and biologics manufacturing capacity in the US, UK, and Japan. Comparable multi-modality CGT manufacturing peer with explicit presence in viral vector production analogous to CHA's Matica Bio / Cell Gene Biobank platform.
• GC Cell (Green Cross Cell): Korean cell therapy company under the Green Cross Holdings umbrella focused on NK and immune cell therapy development and manufacturing. Closest Korean domestic peer on the cell therapy product side, sharing the Korean GMP regulatory framework with CHA Biotech's Matica BioLabs.
• Catalent, Inc. US-headquartered global CDMO with major cell therapy (via the former Paragon Gene Therapy / Acquired by Novo Holdings 2024) and viral vector capabilities. Highly comparable to CHA Biotech as a one-stop CDMO offering process development, GMP manufacturing, and fill-finish for cell and gene therapies.
• Lonza Group AG: Swiss-headquartered global CDMO leader with the largest cell & gene therapy CDMO franchise (Lonza Cell & Gene Technologies). Closest large-scale comparable to CHA Biotech's Matica BioLabs / Matica Biotechnology / Matica BioJapan network in terms of autologous/allogeneic cell therapy and viral vector manufacturing for clinical and commercial supply.
• Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. KOSDAQ-listed Korean biologics CDMO operating one of the world's largest single-site mammalian cell culture capacities in Songdo, with explicit expansion into CGT/adeno-associated virus manufacturing. Comparable domestic Korean CDMO peer for CHA Biotech's Matica BioLabs and the upcoming Cell Gene Biobank.

Regional players

• SK Bioscience Co., Ltd. KOSDAQ-listed Korean vaccines and biopharmaceutical manufacturer with GMP-scale production facilities and ongoing development of cell and gene therapy capabilities. Comparable Korean domestic CDMO/biologics manufacturer with overlapping client base in the Korean life sciences ecosystem.

Emerging players

• WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi AppTec): China-based global CDMO with significant cell and gene therapy capabilities including viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing. Comparable emerging large-scale CGT manufacturing peer for CHA Biotech in the Asia-Pacific CDMO market segment.
• Kangstem Biotech Co., Ltd. KOSDAQ-listed Korean stem cell therapy company developing allogeneic stem cell-based treatments for atopic dermatitis and osteoarthritis. Comparable Korean domestic peer in the stem cell therapy space with overlapping R&D focus to CHA Biotech's CordSTEM family.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chabiotech

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CHABIOTECH