Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a strategic investor in regenerative medicine company Juventas Therapeutics upcoming series B round of funding.

Juventas CEO Rahul Aras discussed the investment during a panel at a meeting of the Ohio Venture Association on Friday.

If you think venture capital due diligence is difficult Aras joked, I think [Takeda] called my mother.

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Aras has previously said that the Cleveland-based Juventas was targeting about $25 million in the round.

Juventas is a Cleveland Clinic spinoff and is based on technology pioneered by former Clinic cardiologist Marc Penn.

The companys technology, JVS-100, works by recruiting stem cells from the bone marrow to create new blood vessels. Its based on Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1), a naturally produced molecule that attempts to repair the heart immediately following a heart attack.

The company is investigating JVS-100 for the treatment of patients who suffer from heart failure and critical limb ischemia.

One panelist asked Aras whether Takedas investment means its likely to be Juventas eventual acquirer. I dont assume anything about an exit, Aras said. I just focus on developing the company and figure someone will eventually want to buy us.

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Takeda to invest in regenerative medicine startup Juventas’ next round

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