NanoRibo Announces Completion of Series A Financing to Advance Clinical Development of Its Innovative Lyophilized mRNA RSV Vaccine

Recently, NanoRibo (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “NanoRibo”) announced the completion of its Series A financing round.This financing round was jointly invested by Chengdu Bio-city Guosheng Capital and ENNOVATION VENTURESS, with MedBio Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor. The proceeds will be primarily used to advance the clinical development of the NR222 project and the R&D of new projects.The closing of this financing round signifies investors’ recognition of NanoRibo and provides strong momentum for the company to advance its subsequent clinical studies.

NanoRibo, established in 2021, is a biotechnology company dedicated to the research and development of novel mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. The founding team possesses extensive expertise in the mRNA field, having held key positions at leading pharmaceutical research institutions and companies both in China and abroad, thereby mastering core know-how in mRNA technology.

Dr. Qian Zhikang, the company’s founder, previously served as a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, where he specialized in virology. Upon returning to China, Dr. Qian became the Principal Investigator of the Herpesvirus Research Group at the Shanghai Institute of Immunology and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences (formerly the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences). He has achieved multiple pioneering research outcomes in the fields of herpesviruses and modular protein nanovaccines. In 2021, he co-founded NanoRibo Biotechnology, establishing a leading and comprehensive mRNA vaccine/drug R&D and manufacturing platform that encompasses target screening, antigen design, mRNA sequence design and optimization, formulation screening, and pharmacological and efficacy evaluation.

In 2023, Dr. Liu Jun, who previously served as the Head of CMC at several leading international biopharmaceutical companies, joined NanoRibo. His addition has further enhanced the company’s R&D and industrialization capabilities, strengthened NanoRibo’s advantages in its CMC platform, and advanced product process development, sample production, quality control, and regulatory affairs.

NanoRibo’s proprietary non-coding region sequences and codon optimization algorithms, AI/Deep Learning-based antigen design and optimization, circRNA purification processes, and LNP lyophilization processes have overcome key industry challenges and pain points.

Currently, the company’s independently developed lyophilized mRNA respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine has received implicit approval for clinical trials from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration of China (Acceptance No.: CXSL2400681), making it the first lyophilized mRNA vaccine candidate in China to enter the clinical stage.Compared with overseas marketed products, this product demonstrates superior immunogenicity and protective efficacy in animal challenge studies, along with a favorable safety profile. The product can be stored and transported stably at 2–8°C for extended periods, enhancing vaccine durability and effectiveness, thereby improving vaccine accessibility in low- and middle-income countries.

The company is also actively pursuing the development of products for other indications, with more candidates expected to enter clinical trials in the future, thereby benefiting patients and establishing the company as an industry leader in vaccine and pharmaceutical R&D.

Mr. Deng Ming, CEO of NanoRibo, stated:Amidst the uncertainties of the macroeconomic environment and volatility in the capital markets, financing in the biopharmaceutical sector has become challenging, making the path of innovation and entrepreneurship fraught with difficulties. We extend our sincere gratitude to Chengdu Bio-town Guosheng Capital and ENNOVATION VENTURESS for their recognition and support of NanoRibo. Focused on the mRNA field and committed to source innovation, NanoRibo has, over the past three years since its establishment, advanced R&D and clinical work in a solid and rigorous manner with limited capital and high efficiency. The company will remain steadfast in its mission, dedicated to developing innovative products of greater value to prevent and treat diseases, improve quality of life, and create value for shareholders.

The investment team of Chengdu Bio-City Fund stated:Chengdu Bio-city Guosheng Capital has always focused on investment in the biopharmaceutical sector, actively promoting the organic integration of corporate technological innovation, achievement transformation, and financial capital. mRNA technology has emerged prominently during the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving significant progress and demonstrating immense potential, while China’s biotech innovation has entered a “deep-water zone.” We firmly choose to support outstanding enterprises like NanoRibo, which are pragmatic, efficient, and possess a strong industrial foundation, and we look forward to NanoRibo bringing its products to market as soon as possible.

The investment team of ENNOVATION VENTURESS stated:ENNOVATION VENTURES focuses on identifying revolutionary new technologies and products within the global biopharmaceutical and healthcare industry chains, thereby driving industrial innovation. NanoRibo boasts a strong R&D foundation, with a pragmatic and efficient team that demonstrates unique insights and innovations in the mRNA field, showcasing immense potential. With this renewed partnership, ENNOVATION VENTURES will continue to support and facilitate NanoRibo’s steady progress. Following the completion of this new round of financing, we believe NanoRibo will achieve further breakthroughs in its pipeline development and continue its march toward becoming a leading enterprise in the mRNA sector.