Weizhizhuo Biotech Secures RMB 200 Million Series B+ Financing to Accelerate Innovation in Liver Disease Therapies

Hexaell Biotech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Hexaell Biotech”), an innovative biopharmaceutical company specializing in cellular therapy for liver diseases and regenerative medicine, recently announced the completion of its RMB 200 million Series B+ financing round. The round was led by the Shanghai Healthcare Capital (SHC), a fund under Shanghai Industrial Investment Corporation, with continued support from existing shareholder LapamCapital and participation by Guanghua Wutong. The proceeds will be used to accelerate clinical research and commercial manufacturing preparations for its core product, HepaCure Bioartificial Liver, as well as to advance the development of subsequent innovative pipeline candidates, further solidifying its global leadership in the field of liver disease treatment.

Hexaell Biotech, established in 2015, is dedicated to providing breakthrough therapeutic solutions for patients with end-stage liver diseases, such as liver failure, leveraging its internationally leading technology in hepatocyte transdifferentiation and expansion. The company’s core technology originates from the team of Professor Hui Lijian at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science). With decades of extensive experience in fundamental research on liver diseases, Professor Hui has repeatedly published landmark academic papers in top-tier international journals such as Nature and Cell Stem Cell. His contributions have not only propelled basic research in this field to new heights but also provided Hexaell Biotech with a continuous source of innovation. Professor Hui’s hepatocyte transdifferentiation technology (hiHep technology) achieved, for the first time, the direct transdifferentiation of somatic cells into hepatocyte-like cells. The HepaCure bioartificial liver product, developed based on this core technology, is currently in Phase II clinical trials and represents the most advanced product of its kind globally. Existing clinical data demonstrate that HepaCure exhibits excellent safety and efficacy, significantly improving survival rates in patients with liver failure and offering hope for addressing this urgent clinical challenge.

“Liver disease is a major global health concern, particularly for end-stage liver diseases such as liver failure, which currently lack effective therapeutic options,” said Dr. Pan Guoyu, Chairman of Hexaell Biotech. “We have always adhered to a ‘patient-centric’ philosophy and are committed to developing innovative therapies. The success of this funding round will significantly accelerate the clinical development and commercialization of HepaCure, bringing benefits to patients worldwide at an earlier stage.”

Guo Qiushan, Partner at SHC“It has been stated that, under current non-liver transplantation treatment modalities, the long-term survival rate for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) remains below 60%, underscoring an urgent need for novel therapies. Leveraging Professor Hui’s years of pioneering research achievements, Hexaell Biotech applies its globally leading patented technology for hepatocyte-like cell transdifferentiation. This approach promises to address critical industry pain points, including cell sourcing, cellular functionality, and potential safety risks. Its core pipeline product, HepaCure, has become the first bioartificial liver product in China to enter formal clinical validation. We believe that, built upon the team’s profound expertise and clinical development capabilities, Hexaell Biotech is poised to emerge as a global leader in the field of liver disease therapeutics.”

Yu Zhihua, Chairman of LapamCapitalstated: “Hexaell Biotech is a biotechnology enterprise with significant growth potential. Its product, HepaCure, serves as a paradigmatic case of indigenous innovation and clinical translation in China, having already demonstrated highly encouraging data in clinical settings. LapamCapital will continue to leverage its resource and experiential advantages to facilitate the company’s faster and more robust growth. We also look forward to HepaCure’s early entry into clinical use, thereby benefiting countless patients.”

Xiang Wentian, Managing Director of Guanghua Wutong"We are also confident in the future of Hexaell Biotech: 'The technical expertise and innovative capabilities that Hexaell Biotech has accumulated in the field of liver disease treatment are impressive. We look forward to witnessing its greater success in the future, which will drive the continuous progress and long-term development of the biomedical industry in Wenjiang District.'"

The completion of this Series B+ financing round marks Hexaell Biotech’s entry into a new phase of development, further solidifying its innovative path in the field of liver disease treatment. The company will continue to leverage technological innovation as its engine to drive breakthrough advancements in liver disease therapy, delivering more efficient and safer treatment solutions to patients worldwide.

Shanghai Healthcare Capital (SHC) is a municipal-level industrial fund approved by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and initiated by Shanghai Industrial Holdings (Group) Co., Ltd., with a total target assets under management of RMB 50 billion. Leveraging Shanghai’s comprehensive advantages in developing the biopharmaceutical sector and relying on industrial resources, the fund aims to build an innovative investment platform for the biopharmaceutical industry that is “based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, linked with the Yangtze River Delta, and oriented toward the global market.” Headquartered in Shanghai, the fund focuses on key areas aligned with Shanghai’s biopharmaceutical industry development strategy, including high-end biological products, innovative chemical drugs and formulations, high-end medical devices and diagnostics, and innovative business models in the healthcare sector.

LapamCapital, headquartered in Beijing, is a leading venture capital firm specializing in biomedicine in China. Currently, LapamCapital manages five RMB-denominated funds and one USD-denominated fund, with total assets under management exceeding RMB 10 billion. It is the only biomedical investment institution to date that has received capital commitments from both of China’s top two RMB limited partners: the National Social Security Fund and the National Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund. LapamCapital focuses on investments in innovative drugs and innovative medical devices, primarily targeting start-up and early-to-mid-stage companies. To date, it has invested in more than 120 companies, including over 100 innovative drug enterprises and more than 20 innovative medical device companies. Its portfolio features numerous star projects such as Beta Pharma (SZ.300558), RemeGen (SH.688331), Yihua Pharmaceutical (SH.688176), Kaiyin Technology (SH.688687), Aier Eye Hospital Group’s subsidiary Aibo Medical (SH.688050), ImmuneOnco (HK.01541), Huahao Zhongtian (HK.02563), Contineum Pharmaceuticals (GYRE), BinHui Biotech, and Wuhe Bo’ao, among others. Many partners in LapamCapital’s management team boast over 20 years of R&D and managerial experience in the international and domestic biomedical industries, enabling the firm to provide comprehensive value-added services to its portfolio companies.

Chengdu Guanghua Wutong Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., headquartered in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, specializes in the operation of government industrial investment funds and the management of market-oriented fund investments. Adhering to a business philosophy centered on focus, professionalism, and sincerity, the company strategically cultivates a fund ecosystem through a “Fund of Funds (FOF) + Direct Investment” model. By committing to meticulous management and efficient investment practices, it strives to empower industrial development. Currently, the company manages assets under management (AUM) of approximately RMB 9 billion. In collaboration with leading enterprises, listed companies, and investment institutions, it has established over 20 investment funds with a total scale exceeding RMB 46 billion, covering the entire lifecycle of enterprise development. As healthcare is a key investment focus for Guanghua Wutong Fund, the firm has invested in numerous high-growth innovative pharmaceutical and high-end medical device companies characterized by breakthrough technologies, including Kelun-Biotech (HK.06990), Fulian Technology, Tongrui Biopharma, Jinjiang Electronics, and Haijieya Medical, thereby accumulating rich industry resources.