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§ Private Profile · Alameda, CA, USA
Biotechnology company offering non-viral microfluidic systems for gene editing and cell engineering in cell therapy manufacturing.
Based in Alameda, California, CellFE develops microfluidic-based technology and specialized benchtop devices for gene editing and cell engineering to improve cell therapy manufacturing processes. The company provides non-viral delivery systems that enable high-yield, healthy cell editing with rapid recovery, aiming to reduce the genotoxicity risks associated with traditional methods. These hardware platforms support scalable manufacturing workflows transitioning from initial laboratory research to full clinical and commercial production environments. Their equipment is primarily utilized by biotechnology researchers and developers focused on advanced cell and gene therapies, particularly for complex oncology treatments. To scale its commercial operations under the leadership of executive Paul Carman, the enterprise secured $22 million in Series A venture capital financing led by M Ventures. The organization was co-founded by chief executive officer Alla Zamarayeva and chief scientific officer Todd Sulchek.
CellFE has raised $27.0M across 2 funding rounds.
CellFE has raised $27.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
CellFE has raised $27.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
CellFE's investors include Christian Uhrich, Canvas Ventures, Celesta, Cota Capital, Dynamk Capital, Menlo Ventures, EGB Capital, Elm Street Ventures, Embark Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Riverine Ventures.
CellFE is a biotechnology company headquartered in Alameda, California, specializing in microfluidic-based cellular engineering to advance cell therapy manufacturing. It develops benchtop devices and platforms like the Infinity MTx and Ryva™ instrument that enable non-viral, non-electroporative gene editing, delivering high cell viability (>90%), superior yields, and scalability from research to commercial production without viral vectors.[1][2][4] CellFE serves cell therapy researchers, developers, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies, addressing key bottlenecks in manufacturing such as long vein-to-vein times, scalability issues, high costs, and inefficient delivery of gene-editing molecules into human cells—making lifesaving therapies more accessible.[1][2] The company has shown strong growth momentum, securing $22 million in Series A funding in 2024 led by M Ventures, announcing strategic platform placements with pharma partners in December 2024 (e.g., Syenex at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference 2025), and launching T-Rest in January 2025.[1][3][4]
CellFE was co-founded by Alla Zamarayeva, Ph.D. (CEO, an engineer and entrepreneur who rallied biotech experts) and Todd Sulchek, Ph.D. (CSO, overseeing science and commercial teams), with key early leaders like Sewoon Han, Ph.D. (Head of Engineering) and Leo (VP of Product Development, ex-Roche and Beckman Coulter).[1][4][5] The idea emerged from innovations in microfluidic technology for single-cell analysis and manipulation, leveraging abrupt compressions (mechanoporation) to enhance biomolecule uptake like DNA plasmids, outperforming existing methods in efficiency, throughput, and viability.[5] Early traction included venture capital backing, collaboration with Becton Dickinson for market entry in intracellular probe delivery, and support from Georgia Research Alliance; this culminated in a go-to-market strategy with That's Nice agency, leading to the $22M Series A and product launches like Ryva™.[3][4][5]
CellFE stands out in cell therapy manufacturing through its proprietary microfluidics platform, which enables safer, more effective gene editing compared to viral or electroporation methods. Key strengths include:
CellFE rides the explosive growth of cell and gene therapies, a market strained by manufacturing hurdles that limit patient access despite curative potential. Its timing aligns with surging demand for scalable, cost-effective non-viral delivery amid regulatory pushes for faster therapies and advancements in genome editing.[1][2][6] Favorable forces include rising investments in biotech (e.g., its own Series A), competitive edges over electroporation/viral methods, and applications in cancer diagnostics (e.g., tumor cell isolation, antibody delivery).[1][5] By enabling higher yields and complex editing, CellFE influences the ecosystem as a critical enabler for innovators, reducing costs and accelerating vein-to-vein times for therapies targeting unmet needs in oncology and beyond.[2][5]
CellFE is poised for expansion with its 24-month Series A runway, focusing on commercializing platforms like T-Rest, deepening pharma partnerships, and targeting diagnostics/revenue streams like $10M/year intracellular delivery.[1][3][5] Trends like AI-driven cell engineering, mechanoporation maturation, and global cell therapy scale-up will propel it, potentially evolving its role from tool provider to ecosystem leader in accessible manufacturing. As gene editing democratizes, CellFE's microfluidics could transform patient access, building on its revolutionary foundation to deliver on the promise of universal cell therapies.[1][2]
CellFE has raised $27.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $22.0M Series A in September 2023.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2023 | $22M Series A | Christian Uhrich | Canvas Ventures, Celesta, Cota Capital, Dynamk Capital, Menlo Ventures, EGB Capital, ELM Street Ventures, Embark Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Riverine Ventures | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2020 | $5M Seed | Cota Capital, Dynamk Capital | Canvas Ventures, Celesta, Menlo Ventures, ELM Street Ventures, Embark Ventures, McEwan Lane Family Trust | Announced |