By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : June 20, 2026 11:12 am
New Tracxn report highlights growing investor confidence in automated cell therapy production, with Cellares and Ori Biotech dominating funding and regulatory milestones
The race to automate cell therapy manufacturing is gaining momentum, with companies in the sector collectively attracting nearly US$1.1 billion across 34 funding rounds, according to a new report released by global market intelligence platform Tracxn.
The report, Hand-made to Assembly Line: Automated Cell Therapy Factories, analyzes 23 companies across 11 countries developing automated manufacturing platforms for advanced cell therapies, including CAR-T, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL), natural killer (NK), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), and stem cell-derived therapies.
The findings point to a rapidly evolving industry that is shifting from labor-intensive production models toward scalable, industrialized manufacturing.
A key takeaway from the report is the high concentration of capital within the sector. Two companies—Cellares, which has raised US$612 million, and Ori Biotech, with US$281 million—account for approximately 81% of all disclosed equity funding. The remaining 21 funded companies collectively share just US$205 million.
Both companies also received the US Food and Drug Administration's Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) designation in 2025, providing therapy developers using their platforms with expedited regulatory engagement and a clearer pathway to commercial-scale manufacturing.
Funding in the sector has evolved through distinct phases. Between 2016 and 2020, annual investments remained below US$35 million as startups focused on proving early concepts through seed and Series A financing.
Momentum accelerated significantly between 2021 and 2023, with annual funding exceeding US$100 million for three consecutive years and peaking at US$303 million. Although investment moderated in 2024 as leading companies shifted from building manufacturing infrastructure to deployment, activity rebounded sharply in 2026, with US$260 million already raised through April.
The investor profile has also matured. Cellares' recent financing round attracted major institutional investors including BlackRock, T. Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford, Gates Frontier, Intuitive Surgical, and EDBI, signaling growing confidence in the commercial potential of automated cell therapy manufacturing platforms.
At the same time, early-stage funding remains relatively constrained, with seed-stage companies raising only US$38 million across 15 rounds, highlighting a persistent funding gap for emerging innovators.
Geographically, the United States and the United Kingdom dominate the sector, accounting for 13 of the 23 companies analyzed and more than US$1 billion in disclosed funding.
California has emerged as the leading U.S. hub, while the UK has developed the highest concentration of companies across the automation value chain, supported by institutions such as the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and the London biotechnology ecosystem. China has also established a growing presence, led by Shenzhen Shenyan, which secured a US$57 million Series B round.
The report highlights growing regulatory support as a critical catalyst for industry expansion. The FDA awarded AMT designation to Cellares' Cell Shuttle platform in April 2025 and Ori Biotech's IRO platform in September 2025. The designation is designed to accelerate regulatory interactions and support the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.
As of April 2026, Cellares and Ori Biotech remain the only companies combining commercial-scale GMP manufacturing capabilities with AMT designation, giving them a significant competitive advantage.
Looking ahead, Tracxn identifies companies such as Multiply Labs and Cellular Origins as potential candidates for the next major funding rounds. Strategic investor interest is also increasing, highlighted by Johnson & Johnson's investments across multiple automation approaches and Cellular Origins' funding round led by the healthcare giant in late 2025.