Neurophth Biotech, China's First Ophthalmic Gene Therapy Company, Completes RMB 400 Million Series B Financing

Investment Circle (ID: pedaily2012) reported on February 9 that Neurophth Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Neurophth”), China’s first gene therapy company focused on ophthalmic diseases, announced the completion of its RMB 400 million Series B financing round.

This round of financing was co-led by Guofang Capital and Huaxin Investment, with Yuanfeng Capital,Oriza Holdings, Grand Mount Capital and other renowned investment institutions participated in the joint investment, existing shareholdersSequoia CapitalChinese Funds andAurora BorealisVenture capital continues to increase its investment.

It is reported that the proceeds from the Series B financing will be used to further enhance the company’s ophthalmic gene therapy R&D platform and to accelerate the construction of a GMP-compliant manufacturing facility for the commercial production of gene therapy drugs meeting international quality standards.

Data from Tianyancha shows that Neurophth’s investor lineup was previously very strong, including HongShan China,Fosun Tonghao, Aurora Venture Capital,Fosun Pharma, Miracle Light, Peppermint Angel Fund.

It is reported that the company’s 8,000-square-meter independent production facility has been designed in accordance with international GMP standards (NMPA, FDA, EMA) and is currently under rapid construction. The flexible combination of upstream processes (adherent and suspension cultures), downstream processing, and fully automated filling will meet the production needs for products with diverse characteristics and scales. Neurophth’s core product, NR082 ophthalmic injection (rAAV-ND4, development code NFS-01), received Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. FDA in September 2020, and its Investigational New Drug (IND) application was accepted by the NMPA in January 2021.