[Lieyun Network (WeChat:ilieyun
) Beijing] Reported on April 8
Lieyun.com recently learned that Novamab, an innovative drug developer specializing in nanobodies, announced the completion of its tens-of-millions-of-yuan RMB A+ round of financing. The round was led by Hongyun Fund, a joint venture between Huatai Zijin and Ali Health, with Kinghand Capital participating as a co-investor. On March 12,Novamab Just Completed an RMB 100 Million Series A Financing Round, led by Tianhui Capital, with co-investment from Taiyu Investment and Fuhui Venture Capital.
It is understood that,The proceeds from this financing round will be used to support the Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and clinical development of two inhaled nanobody-based therapeutics for asthma, as well as the preclinical development of other pipeline candidates targeting respiratory and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Wan Yakun, Founder and General Manager of Novamab, stated that Novamab is a nanobody-based biopharmaceutical R&D company focused on the entire industry chain. The company is dedicated to the industrialization of innovative biologics and the development of targeted novel drugs. It has established a comprehensive nanobody drug development system that effectively integrates early-stage screening and R&D with late-stage process development of candidate drugs, forming a systematic and complete R&D framework that maintains an industry-leading position both domestically and internationally. We sincerely appreciate the investors’ strong recognition of our team and projects. The successful completion of this financing round provides robust support for the rapid advancement of the company’s new drug programs. We will continue to deepen our expertise in the fields of respiratory and autoimmune diseases and accelerate the development of corresponding products.
Cao Qun, Chairman of Huatai Zijin, stated that the founding team of Novamab possesses extensive R&D experience and an international perspective in the field of nanobodies. Leveraging their deep understanding of the therapeutic advantages of nanobodies, the team is developing innovative drug delivery modalities targeting indications with large market potential, thereby enhancing the accessibility and patient compliance of antibody-based therapies to benefit patients both domestically and internationally. We are firmly optimistic about the future development of the nanobody industry and Novamab’s unique potential to become a leading enterprise in this field in China. Adhering to the investment philosophy of “growing together with entrepreneurs,” Huatai Zijin will continue to support the company’s development by leveraging its own resources.
Zhang Dafeng, Founding Partner and Chairman of Kinghand Capital, stated that Novamab holds a leading position in the field of nanobodies in China. The company has systematically established a Pichia pastoris CMC platform and a rapid nanobody screening platform with core competitiveness, laying a solid foundation for fully leveraging the advantages of nanobodies, including favorable patient compliance with administration routes, low production costs, and ease of engineering modification. We are highly optimistic about Novamab’s current innovative drug development projects and hope they will receive market approval soon to meet patients’ clinical needs and reduce their financial burden.
Shanghai Novamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. was established in 2017 at the Shanghai International Medical Zone. In 2020, it was recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise. The company boasts an R&D and production base spanning over 2,500 square meters, along with a proprietary camel breeding facility. Novamab has independently developed five core technology platforms based on nanobodies: the Rapid Nanobody Screening Platform, the Pichia pastoris CMC Process Development Platform, the Inhaled Macromolecular Drug R&D Platform, the Long-Acting Nanobody Platform, and the Bispecific Nanobody Platform. Each platform possesses distinct industry advantages, enabling the rapid identification of therapeutically active nanobody drugs and their swift industrialization. Dr. Wan Yakun, the company’s founder, is a pioneer in the field of nanobodies in China. He previously served as the Director of the first nanobody research center in the country, established the first Pichia pastoris CMC process development platform for nanobodies in China, and has filed more than 40 patents related to nanobodies.
There is a significant unmet clinical need in the field of moderate-to-severe asthma. Currently, all biologic antibody therapies approved globally are administered via injection, leaving substantial room for improvement in drug accessibility and patient adherence. Novamab’s pipeline covers key hot targets within this therapeutic area and adopts an innovative product development strategy focused on novel application scenarios. The inhalable delivery method will significantly enhance drug utilization and patient adherence, thereby benefiting a broader global population of asthma patients.