Suzhou Origin Chip Secures Nearly $10M Series A+ Funding and Launches 3mL Reference Design for Disposable Insulin Patch Pump

VCBeat has learned that YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“YW MEMS”) announced the completion of its nearly $10 million Series A+ financing round at the end of 2024, with investment coming from a USD-denominated fund. This round of financing will accelerate the company’s deployment of fully automated production lines for micro-dosing pump modules based on MEMS piezoelectric technology, and partner with downstream customers to speed up the market launch of domestically produced, fully disposable patch insulin pumps.

YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise founded by professionals from Tsinghua University and the Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in the research and development of MEMS technologies and products. The company boasts an R&D center spanning nearly 1,000 square meters and has mastered over 60 core technologies with a portfolio of 27 patents. Leveraging its independently developed MEMS chips, the company has launched domestically pioneering liquid micro-pumping modules and medical liquid flow sensors. These innovations fill the gap in China for fully disposable patch-type insulin pump drive units, resolving long-standing technical bottlenecks in the market.

According to industry conference reports, a 3-mL insulin reservoir can meet the three-day medication needs of 64% of adult patients with type 2 diabetes, whereas a 2-mL reservoir meets the needs of only 38% of this same population. However, currently available disposable patch insulin pumps on the market cannot accommodate a 3-mL insulin capacity, thereby limiting patients’ treatment options.

After years of dedicated research and development, YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has successfully launched a micro-dosing module for liquid medication that meets the 3 mL reservoir requirement for fully disposable patch-style devices and achieves a pumping precision of 0.01 U, thereby addressing this critical industry pain point. To accelerate the commercialization of domestically produced fully disposable patch-style insulin pumps, the company has also introduced a reference prototype of a 3 mL fully disposable patch insulin pump based on its MEMS drug micro-pump (with a device-to-drug weight ratio of 9.3 and a maximum insulin capacity of 3 mL). Compared with the Insulet insulin pump (which has a device-to-drug weight ratio of 12.5 and a maximum insulin capacity of 2 mL), this prototype provides medical device manufacturers with solutions and recommendations to streamline the research, development, production, and manufacturing processes of insulin pumps.

Physical Image of the 3 mL Disposable Patch Insulin Pump Generic Prototype

Ma Shuo, co-founder of YW MEMS (Suzhou), stated, “Currently, the shape-memory alloy lead screw drive and transmission technology used in fully disposable insulin pumps involves a large number of moving parts, complex manufacturing processes, and significant challenges in ensuring reliability. YW MEMS has innovatively developed a MEMS-based micro-pump module for drug delivery, enabling a fully disposable insulin pump system solution with zero moving parts and modular design. This helps downstream manufacturers rapidly launch products that are easy to mass-produce, reliable in quality, and protected by freedom-to-operate (FTO) patents.”

The completion of this round of financing marks the company’s readiness in securing funding for the automated assembly and testing production line for MEMS drug-delivery micropump modules. The company will complete the construction and commissioning of the first phase of the automated production line within this year, achieving automated mass production of MEMS drug-delivery micropump modules.

MEMS-Based Micro-Dosing Module for Medicinal Fluids Offers a Novel Drive Solution to Medical Device Manufacturers. YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. has already delivered its micro-pump drive modules for medicinal fluids to dozens of renowned medical device clients, accelerating the commercialization of domestically produced, fully disposable, patch-type insulin pumps. This advancement promises diabetic patients access to lightweight, compact, and high-performance fully disposable patch-type insulin pumps, thereby improving their quality of life.

A representative of the investor stated, “As an innovator in the field of MEMS technology, YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. possesses significant advantages in the research, development, and production of core driving components for innovative medical devices. Its MEMS-based micro-liquid pumping drive technology represents a disruptive technological approach. We believe that, leveraging its leading-edge technology, the company will continue to expand within the medical device sector and capture a broader market share.”

Founded in 2015, YW MEMS (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise established by professionals from Tsinghua University and the Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, focusing on innovative applications of MEMS technology in the medical field. The company boasts a R&D center spanning nearly 1,000 square meters and has mastered over 60 core technologies with a portfolio of 27 patents. Leveraging its independently developed MEMS chips as a technological barrier, the company has launched domestically pioneering products, including liquid micro-pumping drivers and medical liquid flow sensors, filling gaps in the Chinese market.