Jensan Bio Completes RMB 100 Million Pre-A Financing to Accelerate Ergothioneine Industrialization

VCBeat Exclusively Learns: A World-Class Major Manufacturer of Ergothioneine Raw MaterialsJiangsu GeneIII Bio-Tec Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “GeneIII Bio-Tec”)Announces Completion ofJAFCO AsiaThe hundred-million-yuan Pre-A financing round led byKunquan CapitalServe as a financial advisor.

This round of financing will be primarily allocated to upgrading the production line for ergothioneine raw materials, expanding the portfolio of end-user products, and establishing an international standard certification system. As a leading global supplier of ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant ingredient, GeneIII Bio-Tec leverages synthetic biology technologies to overcome the efficiency and cost bottlenecks associated with natural extraction. Targeting the anti-aging market, valued in the hundreds of billions, the company is accelerating its efforts to seize first-mover advantages in the functional skincare and precision nutrition sectors, while also exploring applications in eye health, sleep improvement, and metabolic diseases.

Ergothioneine, a natural super-antioxidant, has demonstrated unique value in anti-aging, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammation, earning it the title of “Golden Antioxidant.” However, constrained by limitations in preparation processes and technology, its production suffers from low efficiency, unstable purity, and high costs. Global production capacity has long been restricted, severely hindering its large-scale application in pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and high-end skincare.

GeneIII Bio-Tec, founded in 2021 under the leadership of Chairman Ding Wei and Chief Scientist Dr. Wang Yang, achieved engineered mass production and product application of ergothioneine within three years.It is reported that GeneIII Bio-Tec’s ergothioneine raw material achieves a purity of up to 99.99%. The company has established a pharmaceutical-grade cGMP production platform for ergothioneine, with a purification capacity utilizing 30-ton fermentation tanks and a monthly output of 3–5 tons, sufficient to meet global market demand. Furthermore, by leveraging synthetic biology technologies, GeneIII Bio-Tec has reduced the raw material cost of ergothioneine by 90%.

Leveraging the dual engines of “high-purity raw materials + consumer-end products,” GeneIII Bio-Tec has become a world-class major manufacturer of ergothioneine raw materials.

In March 2025, GeneIII Bio-Tec Won Two Major Awards from Forbes and Frost & Sullivan

GeneIII Bio-Tec’s commercialization strategy features a dual-drive model of “raw materials + finished products.”On the B2B front, it provides raw material support to downstream enterprises. In September 2023, GeneIII Bio-Tec participated in the formulation of China’s first group standard, “Raw Material Ergothioneine for Cosmetics,” offering clear guidance for the standardized application of ergothioneine in the cosmetics sector. On the B2C front, GeneIII Bio-Tec’s brand “Bomaiyan” saw its ergothioneine essence top the sales chart for anti-aging products on Douyin, while its oral capsules have retained the title of best-seller on Tmall Global for three consecutive years.

On February 25, 2025, GeneIII Bio-Tec Co., Ltd. and Professor Barry Halliwell, an international authority on anti-aging, the founder of the free radical theory of aging, and the father of ergothioneine research, officially launched a scientific research collaboration agreement on ergothioneine at the National University of Singapore.

Regarding the dual positioning of “raw materials + finished products,” Ding Wei, founder of GeneIII Bio-Tec, stated: “Our core positioning is to be the hidden champion in the ergothioneine niche segment and an ingredient supplier. At the same time, we need to demonstrate the optimal application of ergothioneine through our own-brand products. By leveraging these products, we can showcase to the industry the adequate incorporation levels and optimal formulations of ergothioneine, which in turn will enhance industry-wide awareness and understanding of this ingredient.”

Except for those already coveredPersonal Care & Beauty, Food & Health SupplementsIn these fields, GeneIII Bio-Tec is also actively advancing ergothioneine.Eye health, improvement of carotid artery plaque sclerosis, and fertilityexploration of emerging application areas.

Notably, GeneIII Bio-Tec’s globally pioneering ergothioneine eye wash set a sales record by achieving a gross merchandise value (GMV) of over RMB 2 million within just six hours of its launch, becoming an undisputed blockbuster product. This eye wash is generously formulated with ergothioneine at a concentration exceeding 5,000 ppm and a purity of 99.99%. Free from any pharmaceutical ingredients or preservatives, it is exceptionally gentle on the eyes, causing no irritation and providing an immediate sensation of refreshed clarity. It serves as a welcome solution for individuals suffering from chronic dry eyes, those who wear cosmetic or contact lenses for extended periods, and people experiencing eye strain due to excessive screen time. The product was also honored as one of Forbes’ “2025 Annual Influential Products in Mass Consumer Goods.”

Currently, ergothioneine has been proven to be significantly effective in alleviating eye fatigue and dry eye syndrome. Research by Professor Halliwell at the National University of Singapore has demonstrated that ergothioneine is an essential component of the human eye, playing a critical role in maintaining ocular redox balance. Many fundus diseases are associated with oxidative stress, and ergothioneine is among the most potent agents for combating such stress. Consequently, ergothioneine-based eye washes hold substantial promise for the management of fundus conditions, including retinopathy, macular degeneration, floaters, and glaucoma.

From “Exorbitant Raw Materials” to “Affordable Consumption”: The Rise of GeneIII Bio-Tec Reflects the Fission-like Growth of the Synthetic Biology Industry. With the injection of capital from JAFCO Asia, ergothioneine, an anti-aging “black technology,” is accelerating its way into households worldwide. This deep integration of synthetic biology and the anti-aging industry may reshape the global landscape of health consumption.

Regarding the securing of this round of financing,Ding Wei, Founder and Chairman of GeneIII Bio-TecIt signifies that the inevitable path for any product to become a great commodity is to endow it with enduring commercial vitality. The first instance was Coca-Cola’s transformation from a medicinal formula into a beverage that brings pleasure; the second was De Beers’ binding of diamonds with eternal love. We aspire for the third transformation to be imbuing ergothioneine with a deeper meaning of youthfulness. If ergothioneine serves only the top 1% of the high-end population, our innovation would be meaningless. Over the past three years, GeneIII Bio-Tec has achieved comprehensive leadership in the quality, production capacity, and cost-efficiency of ergothioneine, making it accessible to households everywhere. In the future, we aim not only to become the “global factory” for ergothioneine but also to redefine the future of the anti-aging industry with Chinese wisdom. Our long-term vision is to build an “anti-aging ecosystem” centered on ergothioneine.

Zhu Kuo, China Partner at JAFCO AsiaStatement: Synthetic biology is a frontier technology for the new century. GeneIII Bio-Tec has not only achieved excellence in scientific research and scalability but also identified an effective commercialization pathway suited to the Chinese market. We have strong confidence in the outstanding team led by Mr. Ding, recognizing the company’s significant potential in product innovation and industry leadership. We look forward to GeneIII Bio-Tec continuing to reshape the global landscape of the industry.

Wang Tao, Partner at Kunquan CapitalHe stated that ergothioneine, as the pinnacle of anti-aging ingredients, holds broad prospects for future application and development. Mr. Ding is an outstanding entrepreneur with whom I am quite familiar. He single-handedly propelled A.O. Smith from scratch to the number one market share position in China’s water heater industry. I am confident that, with Mr. Ding’s foresight and exceptional capabilities, GeneIII Bio-Tec will undoubtedly become a top-tier enterprise in the industry.

JAFCO Group is one of the oldest venture capital firms globally. Since its establishment in 1973, more than 1,000 of its portfolio companies have completed initial public offerings (IPOs). JAFCO Asia began its investment operations in the Pan-Asia-Pacific region and China in the 1990s. Its notable investments in China include Pactera Technology (NASDAQ: PACT), Youku Tudou (NYSE: YOKU), Tarena International (NASDAQ: TEDU), DHgate, 3721 (acquired by Yahoo), Boqii Pet (NYSE: BQ), PalFish, SHEIN, eHi Car Services (NYSE: EHIC), and Medtech (SH: 603990). JAFCO Asia focuses on investing in early-to-mid-stage technology startups and currently manages eight U.S. dollar funds and three RMB funds.

Kunquan Capital is an emerging boutique investment bank specializing in financing and investment services within the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Guided by its mission to “unlock potential value and empower high-quality projects,” it is committed to equipping outstanding enterprises with both capital and strategic resources, thereby accelerating their rapid growth.

The firm’s partners have previously worked at renowned investment institutions, securities firms, and investment banks, bringing years of practical experience in both investment and industry operations, with complementary strengths and resources. In addition to providing professional private equity financing services, the firm offers value-added services such as industry resource matchmaking and management consulting. Its client base spans sectors including medical AI, new drug R&D, medical devices, diagnostics, biotechnology, medical raw materials, consumer healthcare, CXO, and healthcare services. Since its establishment in 2020, the firm has completed private equity financing and M&A transaction services for dozens of enterprises.

References:

1. GeneIII Bio-Tec Takes Center Stage at the Asian Anti-Aging Forum! Earns High Praise from Professor Halliwell, the Father of Ergothioneine Research!

2. “Diverse Applications and Innovative R&D Pathways for Ergothioneine: An Exclusive Interview with Ding Wei, Founder of GeneIII Bio-Tec”