iZumi Bio

iZumi Bio was a pioneering biotechnology company focused on the application of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology for drug discovery and development. Founded in 2007, the company was among the first to commercialize the cellular reprogramming breakthroughs of Dr. Shinya Yamanaka to create human-derived disease models. Its primary focus was on neurodegenerative disorders, utilizing iPSCs to identify novel therapeutic targets and small molecule candidates for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and spinal muscular atrophy. In 2009, iZumi Bio merged with Pierian to form iPierian, consolidating their intellectual property and platform capabilities. This lineage eventually led to the development of a promising anti-tau antibody program, which resulted in the acquisition of the successor entity by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2014.