SciBrunch Therapeutics Secures Over RMB 200 Million in Series Angel Funding to Advance Innovative Small Molecule Oncology Pipeline

VCBeat has learned that Shanghai SciBrunch Therapeutics (“SciBrunch”) recently announced the completion of its angel financing round, raising over RMB 200 million. This round of financing was led byBoyuan CapitalandHankang CapitalCo-lead investment,Lichen InvestmentandLongRiver CapitalParticipate in co-investment. The funds raised will be primarily used for the preclinical and early-stage clinical development of the company’s existing pipeline.

SciBrunch is an R&D-focused biotechnology company dedicated to the iterative innovation of small-molecule anticancer drugs. The company leverages novel perspectives to explore clinically validated targets, proactively designs differentiated product profiles, and builds a globally competitive product pipeline.

The company was co-founded by Dr. Hu Tao, a seasoned serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Zhang Yang, an expert in medicinal chemistry. With over two decades of professional experience spanning renowned pharmaceutical companies such as Merck, Amgen, and WuXi AppTec, Dr. Hu has accumulated multidimensional practical expertise in innovative drug R&D, business development, and corporate governance. Prior to establishing SciBrunch, Dr. Hu served as Co-founder and CEO of the biopharmaceutical company Usynova, where he successfully spearheaded the global exclusive licensing deal for the preclinical anti-tumor candidate UA022 to AstraZeneca in 2023.

Dr. Zhang Yang brings nearly two decades of experience in the research and development of innovative small-molecule drugs. He previously served as Vice President of WuXi AppTec’s Domestic New Drug R&D Services Department. Under his leadership, nearly 20 innovative small-molecule oncology drug candidates were designed and advanced to various stages of clinical development, with several investigational drugs successfully licensed to overseas pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Dr. Hu Tao, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of SciBrunchStatement: We extend our sincere gratitude to all investors for their steadfast support of SciBrunch’s strategic resolve and differentiated pipeline portfolio during this critical period of deep adjustment and restructuring in the biopharmaceutical industry. These funds will be utilized to accelerate the progress of existing high-potential pipelines toward key clinical development milestones, while simultaneously initiating the construction of a new asset portfolio with global competitiveness. The foresight and robust support demonstrated by our investors represent a crucial step in our evolution into an international innovative force dedicated to addressing major clinical challenges.

Chen Penghui, Founding Partner and CEO of Boyuan CapitalStatement: We strongly align with SciBrunch’s strategic positioning, business model, and drug development approach, and highly recognize the team’s professional capabilities. It is an honor to collaborate with all shareholders in supporting the company’s growth. We are confident that, through joint efforts, SciBrunch will achieve breakthroughs and make significant contributions in the field of small-molecule innovative drug R&D.

Yuan Quanhong, Founder and CEO of Hankang CapitalStatement: We firmly believe in the global R&D competitiveness of the company’s team in the field of small-molecule innovative drugs and its exceptional international business development (BD) capabilities, and we highly recognize the globally differentiated competitiveness of the company’s pipeline. At present, Chinese innovative drugs are at a critical window for global breakthroughs. Hankang Capital will fully support the team in accelerating pipeline development and expanding international licensing collaborations. We look forward to the company leading the frontier of small-molecule drug R&D and setting new industry benchmarks.

Boyuan Capital, established in 2017, is a specialized investment firm dedicated to investing in and incubating outstanding healthcare startups in the Chinese market. Currently, Boyuan Capital manages three RMB funds and two USD funds, with total assets under management approaching RMB 10 billion. More than just an investor, Boyuan Capital serves as a long-term partner to entrepreneurs. Since its inception, the firm has remained committed to an entrepreneur-centric approach, providing sustained support and active empowerment to exceptional founders in the healthcare sector, fostering an industry ecosystem, and cultivating the next generation of leading enterprises in China’s healthcare industry.

Hankang Capital is a venture capital fund dedicated to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Guided by its mission to “empower pharmaceutical innovation and safeguard human health,” the fund collaborates with leading scientists and entrepreneurs to develop breakthrough novel drugs for the treatment of major diseases. Rooted in China with a global perspective, Hankang Capital has invested in numerous companies that have grown into industry leaders, including Akeso (09926.HK), InnoCare Pharma (09969.HK, 688428.SH), Keymed Biosciences (02162.HK), Abbisko Therapeutics (02256.HK), Duality Biologics (09606.HK), Chipscreen Biosciences (688321.SH), and OPM Biotech (688293.SH).

Lichen Investment, established in 2021, is a specialized firm focused on early-stage investments in the innovative biopharmaceutical sector. Guided by the imperative to address unmet clinical needs, Lichen Investment seeks to partner with enterprises and entrepreneurs possessing independent intellectual property rights and globally leading technologies. By growing together with these partners, the firm aims to develop products and solutions that deliver tangible clinical benefits, thereby benefiting patients and society at large.

LongRiver Capital is a long-term investment firm focused on technological innovation. Its inaugural US dollar fund has a ten-year term and assets under management of approximately USD 400 million, with investors comprising major international financial groups and professional asset management institutions. The team primarily focuses on the healthcare and technology sectors, investing in industries such as biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, new energy, advanced materials, information technology, and advanced manufacturing, covering stages from early to late-growth.

Founder and CEO Zhang Jiang is a seasoned technology investor. Over the past decade, he has led his team in raising multiple USD and RMB funds, investing in more than 60 healthcare and technology companies worldwide, nearly 20 of which have been listed on stock exchanges both domestically and internationally.