Vol.258 | Weekly Highlights on IVD and Precision Medicine Industry and Investment

Sep 20, 2024 11:34 CST Updated 11:34

Salus

Sequencing and Spatial Omics Platform Provider

Precision Biotech

Gene and Cell Therapy Developer

The National Health Commission Orders! The Centralized Procurement of Medical Devices Launches

Recently, the Hainan Provincial Government Procurement Website released the "Public Bidding Announcement for the 2024 Sanya City Medical Equipment Centralized Procurement Project," marking the official start of the city’s 2024 medical equipment centralized procurement project.

According to the procurement announcement, the first procurement includes 4 packages with a total budget of 55.3 million yuan. As shown in the previously released "Market Research Announcement for Sanya City's 2024 Medical Equipment Centralized Procurement Plan," the equipment categories for this centralized procurement include magnetic resonance imaging systems, digital medical X-ray radiography systems (suspended DR), high-definition electronic gastroenterology endoscopy systems, color Doppler ultrasound, and 26 other types, totaling 593 medical devices.

Up to 50 million supported,

Issued by multiple departments including the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission

Beijing's Action Plan for Accelerating the Innovative Development of Synthetic Biological Manufacturing Industry (2024-2026)

Recently, the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, the Zhongguan Village Science Park Management Committee, the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology jointly issued the "Beijing Action Plan for Accelerating the Innovative Development of Synthetic Biological Manufacturing Industry (2024-2026)."

The notice proposes that by 2026, no fewer than 5 leading teams in synthetic biology will be cultivated, 3 listed companies in synthetic biological manufacturing will be added, 5-10 leading enterprises with influence both in and outside China will be nurtured, a microbial strain preservation bank with a capacity of over 100,000 strains will be established, about 10,000 patented preserved strains will be added, and no fewer than 2 design and automatic control platforms for synthetic biological manufacturing and 3-5 pilot-scale process amplification platforms at the thousand-liter level will be deployed. Support will be provided for the construction of common technology platforms, offering R&D and application services for common technologies based on industrial needs, with a maximum support of up to 50 million yuan.

Salus Medical and Biochain Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement

Jointly Promoting Precision Prevention and Treatment of Tumors

September 13 — Salus Medical Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Biochain(Beijing)Science-Technology.Inc. signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Both parties will jointly optimize the next-generation sequencing DNA methylation experimental process to provide more precise "screening, diagnosis, and treatment" integrated solutions for the early detection of cancer patients.

Philips Greater China Division Undergoes Leadership Change

Recently, Philips announced new personnel changes. Vincent Cai, Vice President of Philips Greater China and General Manager of the Ultrasound Division, will officially step down (retire) on October 18, 2024. It was also announced that Chao Wang will officially return to Philips on September 18 to serve as the Head of the Ultrasound Division for Greater China. He will join the Philips Greater China management team and report directly to Ling Liu, President of Philips Greater China. Philips expressed gratitude for Vincent Cai's contributions to advancing the ultrasound business over the past three years in a highly competitive market environment.

Chongqing Precision Biotech Co., Ltd.'s First

IND Application for CAR-T Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases Accepted

On September 19, 2024, the new indication for MC-1-50 cell injection developed by Chongqing Precision Biotech Co., Ltd. was officially accepted by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of adult refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This indication represents the company’s first innovative drug application in the field of autoimmune diseases, offering a new treatment option for adult patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Weimi Biotech Completes A-Round Financing of 100 Million Yuan

Recently, Weimi Biotechnology (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Weimi Bio") officially announced the completion of its RMB 100 million Series A financing. This round of financing was led by Qingchuang Investment, with participation from Wuhan Agricultural Innovation Fund, Deshi Capital, Changjin Control, and Yazhou Bay Venture Capital. The funds raised will support the company's research and development and market promotion related to gene-edited corn, particularly accelerating the development and commercialization of its core strategic product, high-protein corn.

Completed nearly 200 million yuan in seed financing

Accelerate the Advancement of Anti-cancer AAV Gene Therapy

Vironexis Biotherapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on AAV gene therapy, has come out of "stealth mode" and simultaneously announced that it has raised $26 million (approximately RMB 185 million) in seed funding, led by Drive Capital and Future Ventures.

Vironexis' TransJoin™ AAV Gene Therapy Technology Aims to Overcome Shortcomings of Current Immunotherapies (Such as CAR-T and Bispecific Antibodies)Vironexis currently has more than ten preclinical-stage drug candidates, including a cancer vaccine primarily targeting blood cancers and preventing solid tumor metastasis. These drugs are developed based on the TransJoin™ AAV gene therapy technology platform, which uses AAV vectors to express T-cell engagers (a type of bispecific protein) capable of linking T cells and tumor cells. Through the TransJoin technology platform, low-dose AAV delivery enables liver cells to continuously produce and release these bispecific proteins into the bloodstream. These proteins can guide T cells to the vicinity of tumor cells and activate them to destroy the tumor cells.

Vico Biotech Secures Tens of Millions in Pre-A Round Financing

Supporting the Upgrade and Overseas Expansion of Cell and Gene Therapy Safety Evaluation Technical Services

Recently, Shanghai Weike Biotechnology Co., Ltd. completed a multi-million Pre-A round of financing, led by Bangming Capital with participation from Shenzhen High-Tech Investment and others. This round of financing will help Weike Biotech accelerate the development and upgrading of its cell and gene therapy safety evaluation technology platform, biobreeding testing technology platform, and overseas business expansion.

Vico Biotech was founded in March 2021. Its core members mainly come from the University of Heidelberg/German Cancer Research Center/GeneWerk, focusing on vector integration site (ISA) research and safety evaluation for over 20 years. Globally, it has participated in more than 80 non-clinical and clinical studies of gene therapy products, assisting in the market application of multiple star products, including Glybera, the world's first gene therapy product, Kymriah, the world's first CAR-T product, and CARVYKTI, the first CAR-T drug approved by the FDA in China, among others accounting for over 80% of FDA-approved products. Vico Biotech's core technology systems—LAM-PCR, S-EPTS/LM PCR, and TES—have shown great application potential in areas such as cell and gene therapy safety evaluation and biotechnology breeding.

1.348 Billion! Major M&A in the IVD Industry!

Laboratory company announced on Tuesday that it would indirectly acquire a 15% minority stake in European diagnostics and testing company SYNLAB from private equity firm Cinven for 140 million euros ($190 million).LabcorpWill indirectly acquire a minority stake through an intermediate holding company jointly established with SYNLAB, and will join the board of directors of the holding company alongside Cinven and other co-investors.SYNLAB operates in more than 30 countries and conducted approximately 600 million tests in 2023, generating2.64 billionIncome in Euros.