Analytical Biosciences Completes Series A+ Financing to Expand Single-Cell Big Data and Analysis Platform, Driving Innovation in Drug Discovery

VCBeat (WeChat ID: VCBEAT) has learned that on December 29, 2020, Abiosciences successfully completed its Series A+ financing round. This round was led by SBCVC, with participation from IDG Capital and Apricot Capital.

This funding round marks another financing milestone for Abiosciences, following its Series A investment from IDG Capital in 2019.

This financing will enable Abiosciences to further systematically expand and accelerate the translational application of its single-cell big data and single-cell data analysis platforms in the field of innovative drug R&D, thereby advancing the company’s market advantage and international leadership in leveraging its single-cell big data and analysis systems for new drug target discovery, immuno-biological validation, antibody development, biomarker discovery, basic scientific research, and clinical studies. Meanwhile, the company will further expand its commercial footprint both domestically and internationally, accelerating the establishment of a systematic and efficient international operational framework.

Professor Zhang Zemin, founder of Abiosciences and from the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (BIOPIC) at Peking University, stated:

Single-cell genomics is becoming the cornerstone of drug development, clinical diagnostics, and basic scientific research. This round of financing will accelerate the expansion of Abiosciences’ single-cell big data platform, intelligent analysis pipelines, and interpretation solutions in both depth and breadth. It aims to provide robust and efficient support for researchers and clinicians at pharmaceutical companies, universities, hospitals, and other research and clinical institutions, helping them achieve greater breakthroughs in basic and clinical research.

Dr. Wang Yangzhou, CEO of Abiosciences, stated:

Abiosciences is honored to collaborate with its capital and strategic partners to unlock the vast potential of the single-cell market. We are grateful for the continued recognition and unwavering support from both new and long-standing friends in the investment community. With the rapid advancement of single-cell sequencing technology and the exponential accumulation of data, the challenges associated with data processing are growing day by day. Abiosciences possesses unique core competencies in this area, particularly in its hardware and software capabilities for efficiently handling massive datasets and its ability to perform in-depth interpretation of single-cell big data. These capabilities are essential prerequisites for leveraging single-cell platforms in drug discovery and translational applications. The new round of capital injection will significantly enhance Abiosciences' competitive edge, solidifying its market leadership in single-cell platforms and novel drug development.

Jiang Min, Partner at SBCVC, stated:

SBCVC continues to focus on the integration of life sciences and big data to create greater social value. Led by Professor Zhang Zemin, the Abiosciences team applies single-cell big data to the field of life sciences, dedicated to the diagnosis and precision treatment of human diseases, and possesses internationally leading research achievements. We are pleased to invest in Abiosciences and to participate in and witness the company’s continued development.

Pang Zixuan, Vice President of IDG Capital, stated:

IDG Capital is highly optimistic about the revolutionary changes that single-cell big data will bring to the entire biopharmaceutical industry. Since 2018, IDG Capital has conducted in-depth research and strategic layout across the sector, and had the privilege of being the initial sole investor in the founding and development of Abiosciences. Abiosciences has cultivated a world-class single-cell R&D team and a comprehensive management structure, possesses the largest single-cell database globally, and its research outcomes have been validated and trusted by hundreds of clients and partners.

Ms. Liu Wenyi, Partner at Apricot Capital, stated:

Single-cell omics analysis is a critical tool for future drug development. As a global leader in single-cell bioinformatics, Abiosciences leverages single-cell data to drive R&D, holding great promise for making significant contributions to both new drug discovery and clinical applications. Apricot Capital is highly optimistic about the company’s prospects and looks forward to collaborating with Abiosciences to jointly contribute to the advancement of human health and well-being.

Abiosciences, established in late 2018, is dedicated to maximizing the application of single-cell omics and bioinformatics in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. By creating precise cellular atlases of human diseases, the company leverages its robust scientific research capabilities, proprietary platforms, and data to identify novel, breakthrough therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.

The company’s core founding team possesses professional and international managerial expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, ICT, and investment, with extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Professor Zhang Zemin, Founder and Scientific Advisor, is an internationally renowned cancer genomics scientist who previously served for many years at Genentech, a leading U.S. pharmaceutical company, as Chief Scientist of its Bioinformatics Department. Dr. Wang Yangzhou, CEO, formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of Crown Bioscience, Inc., bringing years of rich management and operational experience in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences sectors.

As a biotechnology enterprise with a global perspective, Abiosciences has established dual operational centers in China and the United States, while expanding into both domestic and international markets. The company focuses on the research and development of drug targets and biomarkers, as well as the creation of commercialized single-cell big data analysis platforms and integrated management systems for single-cell big data. Since its inception, Abiosciences has been certified as a High-Tech Enterprise by Zhongguancun and recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise. It has also established long-term and in-depth collaborations with renowned pharmaceutical companies, universities, and hospitals both in China and abroad.

SoftBank China Venture Capital (SBCVC), established in 2000, is a leading venture capital and private equity fund management firm dedicated to investing in high-growth, high-tech enterprises across Greater China. It has successfully invested in a portfolio of distinguished companies, including Alibaba, Taobao, Focus Media, GDS Holdings, BGI Genomics, Anhan Photoelectric, Dian Diagnostics, and Edan Instruments. Currently, SBCVC manages multiple USD and RMB funds, with investment sectors spanning information technology, healthcare, new materials, consumer retail, and advanced manufacturing. Its investment stages cover early-stage, growth-stage, and late-stage opportunities.

IDG Capital pioneered venture capital operations in China in 1993 and has since grown into a globally leading private equity investment firm. Over nearly three decades of development, the firm’s business has expanded across Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region. It currently maintains offices in 13 cities across five countries, including New York, Boston, London, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Hanoi, with total assets under management exceeding RMB 150 billion. IDG Capital focuses on leading enterprises in sectors such as Technology, Media, and Telecom (TMT), new consumer goods and services, culture and entertainment, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Its investment scope covers all stages, from early-stage startups to growth-phase companies, mature enterprises, and mergers and acquisitions, with investment sizes ranging from millions to hundreds of millions of US dollars. To date, IDG Capital has invested in nearly 1,000 outstanding companies worldwide, with more than 200 achieving successful exits through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in capital markets across the United States, Europe, and China.

Apricot Capital, established in 2015, derives its name from the vision of leveraging capital investment to integrate resources across the broader health industry, thereby promoting sector development and benefiting humanity. The firm currently manages assets exceeding RMB 3 billion. Its investment team comprises more than 20 professionals and advisors with extensive experience in healthcare investments worldwide, boasting diverse expertise in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, finance, and law. Since its inception, Apricot Capital has focused on investing in outstanding early-stage and growth-stage enterprises within the healthcare sector, with a portfolio spanning biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, among other areas. Notable portfolio companies include Junshi Biosciences (01877.HK), Akeso Biopharma (09926.HK), China Antibody (03681.HK), Sinovant Sciences, MicroPort CardioFlow, Liuhe Ningyuan, and ImmuneOnco. Committed to fostering innovation and growth among Chinese enterprises and advancing industrial and social progress, Apricot Capital leverages its team’s rich industry experience, global resource network, and esteemed reputation to diligently support entrepreneurs in realizing their visionary goals.