[Lieyun Network (WeChat ID:ilieyun
) Beijing] Report on January 25
Recently, Beijing Yimiaoshenzhou Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Yimiaoshenzhou") announced the completion of its C-round financing of RMB 140 million (approximately USD 20.4 million). This round was led by investors including Beijing Shougang Fund Co., Ltd., Sherpa Healthcare Partners, Peter Thiel, Qingzhe Capital, and Shantou Huarun Equity Investment Funds of the Partnership (LP).
According to reports, the funds raised in this financing round will be used to expand Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production capacity and advance clinical trials of the company’s lead candidate drug, IM19, for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In addition, the company will further develop its R&D pipeline targeting various solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
Yimiaoshenzhou was established in April 2015 and co-founded by Dr. He Ting, Dr. Lu Xin’an, and Dr. Qi Feifei. The company is dedicated to developing CAR-T technologies and gene-cell therapies for the treatment of malignant tumors. Public information indicates that in November 2017, Yimiaoshenzhou secured a RMB 50 million Series B financing round led by Legend Capital, with participation from Thiel Capital and Shengjing Network. Additionally, Cowin Capital participated in the company’s angel financing round.
According to reports, Beijing Yimiaoshenzhou Medical Technology Co., Ltd. currently has three main products in its pipeline:
IM19：A CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell injection. CD19 is a cell surface antigen specifically expressed at various differentiation stages of B lymphocytes. The vast majority of B-lineage malignancies, including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells, express CD19.
IM21：A chimeric antigen receptor T-cell injection targeting BCMA. B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) is an antigen expressed on all plasma cells, including the malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma.
IM23：A potential CD123-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T-cell injection. CD123 is a protein widely expressed on the surface of leukemic blasts and leukemia stem cells.
Yimiaoshenzhou’s technology platforms primarily consist of a CAR-T cell manufacturing platform and a lentiviral vector technology platform. Additionally, the company has established a clinical-grade, scalable lentiviral gene-engineered vector technology platform, which enables the successful development of clinical-grade lentiviral gene-engineered vectors for use in the production of CAR-T cell products.
He Ting, CEO and Co-founder of Beijing Yimiaoshenzhou Medical Technology Co., Ltd., stated, “We are excited by the support received in this financing round and believe that these investors align closely with the company’s strategy and mission. We are committed to becoming China’s leading CAR-T company. We have also observed growing interest from international companies in our CAR-T cell therapy products and lentiviral manufacturing platform. The Series C financing will enable us to continue our growth and emerge as a stronger company with the potential to enter the global market.”