Nature Cell Signs Advisory Deal with Nobel Laureate Semenza

Biotech firm partners with Johns Hopkins professor to advance stem cell therapy for critical limb ischemia.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nature Cell, a stem cell biotechnology company, has entered into a scientific advisory agreement with Professor Gregg L. Semenza of Johns Hopkins University, a 2019 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine. Under the agreement, Semenza will provide guidance on the U.S. clinical development and FDA approval strategy for Nature Cell's investigational therapy Vascostem CLI, which is being developed to treat critical limb ischemia.

Why it matters

Semenza's expertise in hypoxia signaling pathways and ischemic disease mechanisms is expected to strengthen Nature Cell's scientific rationale and regulatory strategy as it seeks to bring its stem cell therapy to market in the U.S. for the treatment of critical limb ischemia, a severe and life-threatening condition with limited treatment options.

The details

Nature Cell, led by Chairman Jeong-Chan Ra, has tapped Professor Gregg L. Semenza, a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, to provide advisory services for the U.S. clinical development and FDA approval of Vascostem CLI, the company's investigational therapy for critical limb ischemia. Semenza's advisory activities will include optimizing treatment approaches, enhancing chemistry and manufacturing documentation, and providing guidance on regulatory processes.

  • Nature Cell plans to file for U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) approval and seek Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation in the first half of 2026.
  • The company aims to initiate clinical trials for Vascostem CLI in the latter half of 2026.
  • Subject to meeting accelerated approval criteria, Nature Cell is targeting a U.S. market launch for Vascostem CLI in 2029.

The players

Nature Cell

A stem cell biotechnology company led by Chairman Jeong-Chan Ra, specializing in adult stem cell technologies.

Nature Cell America Inc.

The U.S. subsidiary of Nature Cell that has entered into the scientific advisory agreement with Professor Semenza.

Professor Gregg L. Semenza

A faculty member at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking research on how cells respond and adapt to low-oxygen conditions.

Vascostem CLI

Nature Cell's investigational stem cell therapy for the treatment of critical limb ischemia, a severe and life-threatening condition.

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What’s next

Nature Cell intends to file for U.S. Investigational New Drug (IND) approval and seek Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation in the first half of 2026, with plans to initiate clinical trials in the latter half of the year. Subject to meeting accelerated approval criteria, the company aims to expedite development with a target U.S. market launch in 2029.

The takeaway

This partnership between Nature Cell and Nobel laureate Professor Semenza highlights the importance of leveraging scientific expertise to advance the development of innovative stem cell therapies targeting unmet medical needs, such as critical limb ischemia, which carries a high mortality rate and limited treatment options.