Six Chinese Cell and Gene Therapy Companies Secure New Funding Rounds

Feb 29, 2024 09:01 CST Updated 09:01

Rock Roc Biotechnology

Macrophage Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy Developer

Wiseheart Medval

Developer of Cell Therapy for Nervous System Diseases

Recently, several companies focusing on the cell and gene therapy (CGT) field in China have announced financing progress. This article will share basic information about six of these companies based on publicly available data.

1、ROC ROCK Biotechnology Completes Tens of Millions of Yuan in Pre-A Round Financing

On February 26, ROC ROCK Biotechnology announced that the company had completed a Pre-A round of financing worth tens of millions of RMB. This round was led by Guozhu Capital, a management company under Ronghui Group, with continued additional investment from Deshi Capital. Riemann Conjecture continued to serve as the exclusive financial advisor for this round. This is a new round of financing for ROC ROCK Biotechnology following its angel round at the end of 2022. The funds from this round will mainly be used for the IND application of the clinical pipeline RR-M01 and the construction of the delivery vector production base of Rock Roc Biotechnology Co., Ltd in Qingdao. The lead pipeline RR-M01 of ROC ROCK Biotechnology successfully entered the IIT clinical research stage in 2023.

ROC ROCK Biotechnology, incubated in Berlin, Germany, was established in Shenzhen, China in April 2021. It has currently completed a tripartite layout that includes the Information Center in Shenzhen, China, the Production Center in Suzhou, China, and the International Center in Berlin, Germany. ROC ROCK Biotechnology is a biomedicine strategic high-tech enterprise founded by Chinese scientists who returned from Europe, collaborating with PhDs from prestigious institutions such as Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the German National Center for Molecular Medicine, as well as professionals from pharmaceutical companies. The company leverages over a decade of cutting-edge scientific research achievements by its team. ROC ROCK Biotechnology focuses on macrophage-based immunocyte therapy, actively advancing the research and development as well as industrialization of the innovative CAR-M (Chimeric Antigen Receptor Macrophage) technology. By building a world-leading closed-loop industrial chain, it enables local Chinese companies to take the lead globally in the field of macrophage-based solid tumor treatment.

2、Wiseheart Medval Completes Tens of Millions of Yuan in Pre-A Round Financing

On February 26, Beijing Huixin Wiseheart Medval Biotechnology Co., Ltd. ("Wiseheart Medval") announced the completion of a pre-A round of financing worth tens of millions of RMB. This round was led by Beichuang Investment with participation from Jiu Zhi Capital. The funds will be used to advance the development and clinical efficacy verification of Wiseheart Medval's next-generation stem cell therapies for neurological diseases.

Wiseheart Medval, established in July 2021, is dedicated to applying internationally leading induced neural stem cell technology with independent intellectual property rights to drug research for neurological diseases and the development of innovative therapies. The first pipeline under research involves an injection of dopamine-producing neural precursor cells (iNSC-DAP) derived from induced neural stem cells (iNSCs), aimed at treating Parkinson's disease. This internationally advanced Class I biological new drug, administered via intracranial injection, can replace and supplement dead dopamine-producing neurons, achieving physiological secretion of dopamine within the brain. It aims for a single transplantation to have long-term efficacy, alleviating symptoms and halting disease progression. In July 2023, the world’s first neurosurgical procedure using autologous iNSC-DAP cell transplantation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease was successfully completed at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University.

3、Shenzhen Shenyan Biological Technology Co. LTD Raises Over 300 Million RMB to Accelerate CGT Global Expansion

On February 21, Shenzhen Shenyan Biological Technology Co., LTD (hereinafter referred to as "Shenyan Bio") successfully completed an oversubscribed B+ round of financing exceeding 300 million yuan. This round was led by Yuexiu Industrial Fund, with participation from Fortune Venture Capital, Guangdong Financial Fund, Tasly Capital, Yabon Capital, Clearwater Bay Phase II, and other funds. Existing shareholders including Eight Roads Capital and a globally renowned industrial group continued their investment. WinX Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor for this round. The proceeds will be used to further advance the commercial application of large-scale Lentiviral Vector (LVV) production technology, the development of large-scale Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) production technology, and the optimization of automated integrated solutions for cell drug manufacturing, fully supporting clients in the entire process from R&D, regulatory submission, clinical trials to commercial production of cell therapies. Additionally, the funds will also support international market expansion and enhance the company’s operational scale.

Since its establishment in 2014, Shenzhen Shenyan Biological Technology Co., LTD has been deeply engaged in the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) field for 10 years. It has collaborated with numerous large domestic and international CGT pharmaceutical companies and CDMOs. With its reliable product quality and innovative technical capabilities, it has supported over 30 CGT companies in their IND applications and clinical research. Some client products have entered Phase II and III clinical trials and are expected to be approved for marketing in 2024, earning full recognition within the industry.

4、Huadao Biotechnology Completes D+1 Round of Financing

Recently, Huadao (Shanghai) Biomedical Co., Ltd. (referred to as Huadao Biomedical) announced the successful completion of its D+1 round of financing and officially launched its D+2 round of financing.

Huadao Bio is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in cellular immunotherapy, with a particular focus on the development and innovation of the entire industrial chain for cell-based drugs. Established in September 2017 in Zhangjiang, Shanghai, the company relocated to Songjiang, Shanghai in 2020, within the National Songjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone—a key hub of "Songjiang Creation." In 2023, the company successively obtained clinical trial approvals (IND) from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for three Class 1 new CAR-T drugs. With the mission of "making cell-based drugs affordable for the Chinese people," Huadao Bio adheres to a dual innovation path involving "cell drug R&D + breakthroughs in key equipment and technologies for industrialization" based on independent intellectual property rights. After six years of development, the company has overcome critical production equipment for CAR-T manufacturing, matched single-use consumables, intelligent CAR-T liquid nitrogen cold chain transport, and other key industrialization devices and bottleneck technologies. It has become a national high-tech enterprise in China’s cellular immunotherapy sector that owns independent intellectual property rights for the entire industrial chain's key equipment, reagents, and consumables, as well as control over the pricing of CAR-T cell drugs. In 2023, Huadao Bio fully launched the construction of six major biotech industrial bases across China: the East China Shanghai Songjiang Base (Phase I already in use, Phase II soon to be occupied), Southwest Chongqing Bishan Base, Northwest Shaanxi Xianyang Base, Northeast Jilin Changchun Base, Central Plains Henan Zhengzhou Base, and South China Guangdong Guangzhou Base. The company is committed to becoming a platform-based pharmaceutical enterprise with independent R&D and production capabilities for cell-based drugs in China.

5、Bailin Science Completes A+ Round Strategic Financing

On February 21, Bailingke Pharmaceutical Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ("Bailingke") announced the successful completion of a several-hundred-million-yuan Series A+ strategic financing round. This round of financing was jointly invested by Asymchem Industrial Fund, Bridge Hill Capital, Yuanxi Haihe Fund, Huaxi Healthcare Consumer Goods Industry Fund, and Haiwang Capital, with existing shareholders Xincheng Fund, Cathay Capital, and Beijing Sino Biological Technology Co., Ltd. continuing to increase their investments. This financing will strengthen Bailingke's industrial capital and accelerate its pace in product development, technological enhancement, and international market promotion.

Bailinco is always committed to overcoming the "bottleneck" technologies in bioprocessing, providing efficient, safe, and competitive process solutions for the biopharmaceutical field. The company focuses on the research, development, and manufacturing of critical process equipment and consumables for vaccines, antibody drugs, recombinant proteins, cell therapy, gene therapy, blood products, and other biologics. Its product range covers upstream bioprocesses such as cell culture and single-use mixing and storage, as well as downstream processes like chromatography and three filtration units. It also offers product validation and process development services.

6、Zhonghe Gene Completes Tens of Millions of Yuan in Pre-A Round Financing

On February 22, Tianjin Zhonghe Gene Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Zhonghe Gene") announced the completion of a Pre-A round of financing worth tens of millions of RMB. This round of financing was led by Beiyang Haitang Fund, with participation from Apricot Capital and Legend Capital. The funds raised will be used to accelerate the iterative upgrade and market expansion of DNA biosynthesis instruments and related equipment.

Zhonghe Gene was established in 2022, focusing on the development, production, and sales of equipment related to third-generation bio-enzymatic gene synthesis technology. It has been awarded titles such as National High-tech Enterprise, National Science and Technology Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, Tianjin Eagle Enterprise, and Innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprise. The core technology of Zhonghe Gene mainly originates from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Team members graduated from well-known institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nankai University, and Tianjin University, covering interdisciplinary fields including biology, chemistry, materials, and equipment. They have years of experience working in leading companies and research institutions within the industry, with deep expertise in technological iteration, product development, and market promotion. Zhonghe Gene will continue to uphold the concept of driving industrial development through core technological breakthroughs, providing high-efficiency, low-cost DNA biosynthesis solutions for the development of the synthetic biology industry.

E.N.D

Previous article recommendations:

Covering an area of approximately 13,000 square meters, the industrialization base project for cell therapy drugs by Xianbo Biotechnology has been established.

Another Global Strategic Center of a Pharmaceutical Giant Settles in Shanghai, Which Will Become an Important R&D Base in the Field of Cell Therapy

Manufacturing Process and Challenges of Universal CAR-T

Zhongmu Medical is about to launch a gene therapy clinical trial for advanced retinitis pigmentosa.

The First AAV Gene Therapy for Hemophilia A Fell Far Short of Sales Expectations Last Year

Billions of Yuan in Reward and Subsidy Measures! Covering Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, Antibody-Drug Conjugates, Recombinant Proteins, and Peptide Drugs, Beijing's Haidian District Releases Several Measures to Promote High-Quality Development of the Pharmaceutical and Health Industry

Another CRO Company Initiates IPO Process

The First AAV Gene Drug Using a Two-Plasmid Packaging System: Genevector's Lead Pipeline IND Approved

Investing 5.01 billion, Orient AMC and Guofeng Investment establish biotechnology fund

Gracell Bio Announces Official Merger into AstraZeneca Group

Xiong'an Officially Issued! Support for the Development of Modern Life Sciences and Biotechnology Industries such as Cell Therapy, Genetic Engineering, and Tissue Engineering

The Competitive Landscape of TIL Cell Therapy in China

Government Invests 6 Billion Yuan to Fund the Establishment of a Life Health Research Institute, Focusing on Cutting-edge Topics such as Cell and Gene Therapy

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang: The Era of Having to Learn Computer Science and Programming is Over, the Next Golden Track is Life Science and Engineering

EU Commission Approves First Gene-Editing Therapy for Marketing

AstraZeneca Invests $300 Million to Build Cell Therapy Plant

First in China: Universal CAR-NK for Treating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Approved for Clinical Trials

World's First AAV Gene Therapy for Autism Approved for Clinical Trials

Beijing to Focus on Cell Gene Therapy, Synthetic Biological Manufacturing, and Other Cutting-Edge Emerging Fields as Key Tasks for 2024

FDA Releases Guidelines for the Development of Gene-Editing Therapies and CAR-T Therapies (Full Text of Guidelines Attached)

CDE Releases "Technical Guiding Principles for Non-Clinical Research of Human Stem Cell Products"

CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing Therapy Receives FDA Approval for Treating β-Thalassemia

Disclaimer: The content is sourced from the official accounts of the Cell and Gene Therapy Field, Cell Gene Therapy, and the aforementioned companies' official websites. The content of this article aims to share knowledge, all content is for reference only and does not constitute any advice.