Montpellier, France, and Tokyo, Japan – September 29, 2026 – Cilcare, a biotechnology company pioneering auditory science, announces the establishment of Cilcare K.K., its new subsidiary in Tokyo. The move marks a strategic step to capture the significant opportunities of Japan’s hearing health market and accelerate Cilcare’s expansion across Asia-Pacific.
Japan: a major opportunity for hearing health innovation
Prevention, healthy ageing and quality of life are at the heart of Japan’s healthcare priorities. As the country’s population continues to age, the need for innovative solutions in hearing health is gaining momentum. Hearing loss is recognized as a major modifiable risk factor for dementia, with evidence further strengthened by the 2024 Lancet Commission. Cilcare is entering Japan at a pivotal time, with the expertise to help shape the future of hearing health.
Rare, globally recognized expertise
Cilcare brings to Japan:
- Unmatched expertise in auditory drug development, with R&D operations in France and the United States
- 350+ collaborative projects worldwide in auditory science
- Synapsound AI™, Cilcare’s proprietary AI-based auditory analytics platform, designed to identify novel biomarkers and enable earlier detection of neurological diseases
Cilcare’s 2024 strategic partnership with Shionogi, covering the co-development and commercialization of CIL001 and CIL003, already demonstrates the strong traction Cilcare has built in Japan.
A bridge to global growth
Cilcare K.K. is more than a local presence in Japan. It provides a platform to accelerate partnerships across Asia-Pacific, connect Japanese stakeholders with Cilcare’s global pharmaceutical and biotechnology network, and provide direct access to the company’s international R&D capabilities.
A decade of engagement with Japanese universities and Key Opinion Leaders has laid a strong foundation for Cilcare in Japan. Cilcare K.K. now turns that foundation into a platform for growth.
Aurore Marie to lead Cilcare’s expansion
Aurore Marie, General Manager Japan & Asia, will lead this new chapter for Cilcare. A key contributor to the company’s international expansion, she played a central role in establishing Cilcare’s US presence in Boston. She combines deep expertise in auditory science with strong cross-cultural leadership and a proven ability to build trusted relationships.
“I am very excited to start this new chapter for Cilcare in Japan. After many years working with Japanese partners, and even learning Japanese along the way, I look forward to building our activities from Tokyo. The opportunities in hearing health and healthy ageing across Asia-Pacific are immense.” said Aurore Marie, General Manager Japan & Asia, Cilcare.
For Celia Belline, CEO and co-founder of Cilcare:
“Cilcare is becoming a truly global company, with strong roots in Europe and the United States and now a dedicated presence in Japan. Having a local team in Tokyo positions us to capture the significant opportunities ahead in hearing health.”
Cilcare also acknowledges the continued support of its institutional partners in Japan, including Business France, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCIFJ), the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the Occitanie Region and its Bureau de l’Occitanie in Tokyo, and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization).
About Cilcare
Cilcare is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering auditory science, with expertise in drugs and diagnostics designed to prevent and treat hearing disorders. Built on deep auditory neuroscience capabilities, Cilcare supports preclinical and clinical development for its own pipeline and for industrial and academic partners worldwide. Headquartered in Montpellier, France, Cilcare operates across Europe, North America, and Asia.
For more information, visit: www.cilcare.com
Media Contact
Marie Peytavy-Izard
Marketing & Communication Director
marie.peytavy@cilcare.com
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