YiJieLico, Yiminocon, and Rgenta Therapeutics Join Bayer Co.Lab to Accelerate Innovation in Cell and Gene Therapy

China Finance Network December 10th: 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 co-creation platform, leveraging Bayer's global innovation and collaboration network to connect with global pharmaceutical industry resources and accelerate innovative breakthroughs in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) field.

Dr. Friedemann Janus, Senior Vice President of Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division, 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."

"I am truly 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 top global pharmaceutical companies will allow us to leverage Bayer's resources, expertise, and network to accelerate the development of Epigenic Therapeutics’ groundbreaking technology and pipeline. We look forward to working hand in hand with Bayer to bring innovative treatment solutions to patients with chronic diseases worldwide," said Bao Hong Zhang, Co-founder and CEO of Epigenic Therapeutics, Inc.

Data shows that Epigenic was founded in 2021 and is committed to treating various diseases through epigenetic regulation. Its EPIREG^®The patented technology platform continuously explores for better components through its developed artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, regulating the expression of multiple genes simultaneously without altering the DNA sequence. Combined with Epigenic's proprietary patented lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery system, its technology platform has been validated in both in vivo and in vitro models of metabolism, cardiovascular, viral hepatitis, ophthalmology, oncology, and rare diseases, enabling precise and effective delivery of drugs 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 successfully 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 provided 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 multiple nanobodies. Committed to providing global drug development partners with a leading antibody discovery platform, working together to bring safer and more effective innovative drugs for disease treatment.

Dr. Yongzhong Wang, founder, chairman, and CEO of RuiZheng Gene, stated that in vivo gene editing using non-viral vectors is one of the most promising fields in innovative pharmaceuticals globally in terms of market and technical potential. He looks forward to closely collaborating with Bayer to advance cutting-edge technology development, explore more innovative therapies for in vivo gene editing, and benefit patients worldwide.

Rui Zheng 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 serious or life-threatening to patients worldwide. Rui Zheng Gene is currently the only company globally approved to simultaneously conduct clinical trials for in vivo gene editing products using LNP as a carrier in both China and the United States. Rui Zheng Gene has established an industry-leading end-to-end technology platform for in vivo gene editing treatments, specializing in RNA synthesis, editing, and delivery technologies. Two products, ART001 (ATTR) and ART002 (PCSK9), have entered the human clinical trial stage and have the potential to become best-in-class breakthrough drugs.

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.