Codon Biotech, Bayer Co.Lab China's First Resident Company, Files for IPO
On November 6, during the 7th China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as the “CIIE”), Bayer and Kedong Biology signed a cooperation agreement, making Kedong Biology the first company to join Bayer’s Co.Lab in China. This marks the latest milestone for Bayer Co.Lab since its official launch in China in late September this year. In November 2023, during the 6th CIIE, Bayer announced the introduction of its Bayer Co.Lab co-creation platform, focused on the life sciences sector, to China.
Signing Ceremony for Kedong Biology’s Entry into Bayer Co.Lab
Dr. Friedemann Janus
Senior Vice President, Head of Regional Business Development, Open Innovation and Co.Lab Global, Bayer Pharmaceuticals Division
“Just 40 days after the opening of Bayer Co.Lab in China, we are delighted to welcome Kedong Biology as its first resident company in the country. Bayer Co.Lab will serve as a key hub empowering local startups and connecting Chinese innovation with the global pharmaceutical industry. This also fully demonstrates Bayer’s firm commitment to integrating into China’s biopharmaceutical innovation ecosystem and actively exploring comprehensive, multi-faceted collaborations across the entire value chain. We look forward to welcoming more Chinese biotech companies and partners into the Bayer Co.Lab network in the future.”
Dr. Wei Dong
CEO of Kedong Bio
Co-Founder
“We are delighted to join Bayer Co.Lab, which provides us with the opportunity to leverage Bayer’s global innovative drug R&D system. On both scientific and operational levels, joining this new ecosystem enables us to focus more effectively on our mission of advancing tRNA therapies to help patients with nonsense mutation diseases worldwide.”
Kedong Bio, founded in 2022, is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to researching and developing innovative therapies for severe diseases caused by nonsense mutations (premature stop codons), based on suppressor tRNA technology. The company has established multiple proprietary platforms in suppressor tRNA screening and optimization, as well as adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery, to develop innovative treatments for various diseases affecting the central nervous system, kidneys, heart, and retina.
As a key component of Bayer’s Global Life Sciences Co-Creation Network, Bayer Co.Lab in China not only provides an ideal co-creation space for resident companies but also leverages Bayer’s global R&D network and expertise to help biotechnology startups connect with the global innovation collaboration network, offering international perspectives and resources. With abundant internal and external expert resources, Bayer Co.Lab accelerates innovation translation and business development through professional guidance. In China, Bayer Co.Lab will empower 8 to 10 startups, focusing on frontier innovation areas such as cell and gene therapies, oncology, and new technology platforms. Bayer Co.Lab is strategically establishing a presence in multiple global innovation hubs, including China, the United States, Japan, and Germany, committed to supporting local startups in driving the innovation process.