This article was posted on the ChosunBiz MoneyMove (MM) site at 3:28 p.m. on Sep. 11, 2025.
Domestic private equity firms Skylake Equity Partners (Skylake PE) and Crescendo Equity Partners (Crescendo PE) are seeking to make an additional 100 billion won investment in Korea's No. 1 cord blood bank corporation MEDIPOST. The aim is to complete the U.S. phase 3 trial of a cord blood–derived stem cell–based therapeutic.
On the 11th, investment banking industry sources said MEDIPOST is currently pursuing 100 billion to 150 billion won in funding through BDA Partners. Existing shareholders Skylake PE and Crescendo PE would each contribute 50 billion won, creating a structure that could raise up to 250 billion won.
This funding size is considerable given the company's total market capitalization. MEDIPOST's current market value is about 420 billion won. While the investment method and terms have not been decided, the market sees a high likelihood that the funds will be raised through convertible bonds (CBs).
MEDIPOST is raising funds to complete the U.S. phase 3 trial of its flagship product, "Cartistem." Cartistem is a drug that separates and cultures stem cells derived from cord blood in the newborn's umbilical cord, then injects or implants them into knee cartilage injury sites to induce cartilage regeneration.
In Korea, it has been approved for sale by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety since 2012, but in the United States it is still preparing for phase 3. The market expects that if Cartistem's U.S. entry is successful, exports to Europe will also become possible.
MEDIPOST was founded in 2000 by CEO Yang Yun-seon, a former professor at Samsung Medical Center, as a stem cell–based biotechnology specialist. It listed on the KOSDAQ market in 2005 and secured a leading position in regenerative medicine by developing Korea's first stem cell therapy, "Cartistem." Last year, revenue was about 70.6 billion won and operating loss was 48.5 billion won.
MEDIPOST's largest shareholders are private equity firms Skylake PE (21.4%) and Crescendo PE (20.1%). Founder Yang Yun-seon holds 1.73%. The two private equity firms became the largest shareholders in 2022 after investing a total of 160 billion won in MEDIPOST.