Three Chinese Biotechs — EpiRegen, ImmunoOnco, and RazorGene — Join Bayer Co.Lab to Advance Cell and Gene Therapy Innovations

● Epigenic, Immunocan, and Rayzen Gene sign agreements to join Bayer Co.Lab, accelerating innovation breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies

● Bayer will leverage its global innovation and collaboration network, along with its expertise in cell and gene therapies, to empower biotech startups for rapid growth.

Shanghai, China, December 10, 2024—— Bayer announced today that it has reached agreements with Epigenic Therapeutics, Inc., Shanghai Immunocan Biotech Co., Ltd., and Raygen Gene (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. These three biotechnology companies will join Bayer's Co.Lab collaborative innovation platform, leveraging Bayer’s global innovation and collaboration network to access global pharmaceutical industry resources and accelerate innovative breakthroughs in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) field.

Epigenic and Immunocan have officially moved into Bayer Co.Lab, and Precision Gen Therapeutics will move in next month.

Dr. Friedemann Janus, Senior Vice President of Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Head of Regional Business Development, Open Innovation, and Global Lead of Co.Lab, stated: "We warmly welcome these three companies into the vibrant circle of friends at Bayer Co.Lab. The recently opened Bayer Co.Lab in China has quickly become a cornerstone for our close collaboration with the local innovation ecosystem. We are witnessing exciting innovative breakthroughs emerging in China, and as part of our global co-creation platform network, Bayer Co.Lab will provide tailored services and support to biotech startups, helping them achieve rapid growth and success."

Epigenic Therapeutics, Inc. co-founder and CEO BaoHong Zhang stated, "We are deeply honored to join Bayer Co.Lab, a leading innovation platform. This opportunity aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionize drug development through epigenetic regulation technology. Collaborating with a global leading pharmaceutical company will allow us to leverage Bayer's resources, expertise, and network to accelerate the development of Epigenic’s groundbreaking technologies and pipeline. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Bayer to bring innovative treatment solutions to patients with chronic diseases worldwide."

Epigenic Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 2021 and is committed to treating various diseases through epigenetic regulation. Its proprietary EPIREG® technology platform continuously explores for better components using its developed artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, regulating the expression of multiple genes simultaneously without altering the DNA sequence. Combined with Epigenic's proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery system, its technology platform has been validated in both in vivo and in vitro models for metabolic, cardiovascular, viral hepatitis, ophthalmic, oncology, and rare disease applications, enabling precise and effective delivery of therapeutics to target cells and tissues.

Dr. Jiwei Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Immunocan, stated: "We are very pleased to join Bayer Co.Lab and witness together the opening of a new chapter in global innovation ecosystem collaboration. After four years of development, we have established ultra-large fragment (Mb-level) gene editing technology and various antibody discovery models in Shanghai, earning the trust and recognition of many partners. Today, as we move into Bayer Co.Lab, we believe that the scientific collaborations and operational empowerment brought by Bayer's global life sciences co-creation network will help Immunocan continuously accelerate innovation, expand technical cooperation, and achieve our vision of self-development within the global innovation collaboration network while advancing industry innovation."

Immunocan, founded in 2020, utilizes ultra-large fragment (Mb-level) gene editing technology to replace the variable region genes of immunoglobulins in various animals, creating genetically modified animals capable of producing fully human antibodies and various nanobodies. It is committed to providing a leading antibody discovery platform for global drug development partners, collaboratively bringing safer and more effective innovative drugs for disease treatment.

Dr. Yongzhong Wang, founder, chairman, and CEO of Rui Zheng Gene, stated: "We are highly honored to join Bayer's Co.Lab co-creation platform. In vivo gene editing using non-viral vectors is one of the most innovative pharmaceutical fields with significant market and technological potential globally. We look forward to closely collaborating with Bayer to advance cutting-edge technology and explore more innovative therapies in the field of in vivo gene editing for the benefit of patients worldwide."

RuiZheng Gene was founded in 2021, focusing on the development and commercialization of safe, effective, and targeted in vivo gene editing and delivery technologies to treat hereditary and acquired diseases that are severe or life-threatening to patients worldwide. RuiZheng Gene is currently the only company globally approved to conduct clinical trials for in vivo gene editing products using LNP as a carrier in both China and the United States simultaneously. RuiZheng Gene has established an industry-leading end-to-end technology platform for in vivo gene editing therapies, specializing in RNA synthesis, editing, and delivery technologies. Two products, ART001 (ATTR) and ART002 (PCSK9), have entered the human clinical trial stage, with the potential to become best-in-class breakthrough drugs.

Bayer Co.Lab is located in the forefront of Shanghai Park

As an important component of Bayer's global life sciences co-creation network, Bayer Co.Lab officially opened in China in September 2024. Bayer Co.Lab China not only provides an ideal co-creation space for resident companies but will also leverage Bayer’s global R&D network and expertise to help biotech startups connect with global pharmaceutical industry resources. Bayer Co.Lab in China will empower startups, focusing on cutting-edge innovation areas such as cell and gene therapies, oncology, and new technology platforms. With the opening of Bayer Co.Lab in Berlin by the end of November 2024, Bayer Co.Lab has completed its strategic layout in global innovation hotspots including China, the United States, Japan, and Germany, fully supporting local startups in accelerating the innovation process.

Bayer, as a multinational enterprise, possesses core competencies in the fields of health and agriculture within the life sciences sector. Guided by the mission of "Shared Health, Eliminated Hunger," the company is committed to helping people overcome major challenges brought about by global population growth and aging through its products and services, benefiting humanity and fostering the prosperity of the planet. Bayer is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and positively impacting its business. At the same time, the group enhances profitability and creates value through technological innovation and business growth. Globally, the Bayer brand stands for trustworthiness, reliability, and quality. In the 2023 fiscal year, Bayer employed approximately 100,000 people, with sales amounting to 47.6 billion euros and R&D investment, excluding special items, reaching 5.8 billion euros. For more information, please see:www.bayer.com。