Meiliu Bio Completes Angel Funding Round to Advance Synthetic Biology-Based Material Innovation

VCBeat has learned that Hangzhou Meiliu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“Meiliu Biotech”) recently announced the completion of its angel financing round, led by Sichuan Rongle Investment and followed by Hangzhou Xihu Kechuang Equity Investment Co., Ltd. The proceeds from this round will be primarily allocated to the research and development of new products in the recombinant protein sector, product iteration, and the enhancement of domestic and international marketing capabilities and brand influence.

Amid the capital winter, Meiliu Biotech has bucked the trend by rapidly achieving the translation, development, and mass production of its research outcomes, earning high recognition for both its scientific translation capabilities and commercialization prowess.

Ying Xinxiang, founder of Meiliu Biotech, told VCBeat, “At the outset of our venture, the Meiliu Biotech team had already amassed a portfolio of more than 50 products, spanning medical aesthetics and skincare, biopharmaceuticals, and basic materials. This fully underscores our substantial expertise and industrialization capabilities in synthetic biology. Rather than following the natural products route chosen by most synthetic biology companies, Meiliu Biotech has focused on innovation in synthetic biology materials. Leveraging advanced engineered strain technologies, we have pioneered the synthesis of non-living biomaterials, such as cutting-edge bio-protein-based materials. Therefore, Meiliu Biotech is not limited to its significant achievements in recombinant collagen; we are also proactively positioning for the future and will soon launch a series of highly demanded innovative products, including but not limited to recombinant silk fibroin and recombinant elastin.”

It is reported that the multifunctional oil-control peptide under Meiliu Biotechnology was rigorously developed by Dr. Wang Yutian, an Academician of the Royal Society of Canada. Protected by global patents and substantive examination approvals in eight countries, and fortified by a worldwide exclusive barrier of advanced oil-control technology, this product represents a novel drug target, a new product concept, and a cutting-edge technological endorsement. As an oil-control peptide fusion protein, it leverages proprietary biosynthesis technology to achieve material innovation.

Compared to traditional oil-control products on the market, this multifunctional oil-control peptide inhibits the formation of the SREBP (Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein) pathway, suppressing sebum secretion at its source for superior oil-control efficacy. Unlike other acid-based oil-control products, it has passed human clinical trials with no adverse reactions, making it gentler on the body and suitable for sensitive skin. It also helps maintain the skin’s weakly acidic environment over a longer period, demonstrating significant cumulative effects. When combined with collagen, it achieves synergistic benefits by optimizing the oil-control environment, introducing a novel approach of “controlling while nourishing,” and providing long-term cumulative regulation of oily skin ecology. This product is versatile and can be incorporated into various applications, including acne treatment, foundation makeup, anti-hair loss formulations, oil-control products, skin boosters, and weight-loss medications.

Ying Xinxiang added, “This marks the first successful case of industrialization and commercial translation of scientific and technological achievements under Academician Wang Yutian’s project—namely, the launch of our oil-control peptide fusion protein. This product line is currently our star offering, endowing recombinant collagen with diverse functionalities and establishing a robust technical barrier. By leveraging high-barrier biosynthesis technologies to replace traditional chemical synthesis methods, we have resolved the challenge of high-cost peptide raw materials. In addition to the oil-control peptide, we are poised to introduce new fusion proteins, such as conotoxin peptides and whitening peptides, which will significantly reduce costs and unlock broader application possibilities for the market. These products will further consolidate our leading position in the field of synthetic biology materials and continue to drive progress and development across the industry.”

When discussing innovations in recombinant collagen, particularly in the medical aesthetics sector, Ying Xinxiang stated, “Market demand at the downstream end of the industry chain serves as the engine for corporate development. Meiliu Biotech focuses on innovation in synthetic biology materials, gaining deep market insights and addressing genuine market pain points.”Truly achieving large-scale mass production to resolve the issue of conceptual inclusion of recombinant collagen being constrained by its high cost.Meanwhile, we have revolutionarily launched a new generation of supramolecular recombinant human-like collagen. Its unique material structure perfectly replicates the long-fiber architecture and water-insoluble characteristics of animal-derived collagen. This product achieves long-lasting injectable filling without the need for chemical modification. Under cryo-transmission electron microscopy, its long-fiber structure remains consistent with that of animal collagen, even in aqueous solution.

Ying Xinxiang summarized, “This marks the formal replacement of animal-derived collagen by recombinant collagen, which now stands on par with injectable sodium hyaluronate gel and is poised to become a rising star in the medical aesthetics sector. This innovation represents not only a major breakthrough for recombinant collagen as a novel material but also heralds its immense potential in the medical aesthetics market.”

Tang Guo, Executive Director and General Manager of Sichuan Rongle Investment Co., Ltd., stated:Rongle Investment’s deep expertise in the beauty, e-commerce, and social new retail sectors complements Meiliu Biology’s specialization in innovative synthetic biology materials, creating a powerful synergistic effect. This partnership has not only established a mature sales network for certain Meiliu Biology products but also successfully opened channels for overseas market expansion. Given Meiliu Biology’s milestone achievements in recombinant protein-based novel materials and its significant growth potential, we are confident that leveraging Rongle Investment’s extensive resources and broad distribution channels will accelerate the commercialization of Meiliu Biology’s technological innovations and drive widespread market adoption of its products. Together, the two parties will join hands to lead innovation in the field of synthetic biology materials and create a more promising future.

Zhao Chenyan, Head of Biopharmaceutical Investment at Hangzhou Xihu Kechuang Equity Investment Co., Ltd., stated:The downstream application market for recombinant humanized collagen is extensive; however, current production costs remain high, and there are few approved Class III medical devices for injection. Meiliu Bio’s first-generation recombinant humanized collagen offers significant cost-reduction advantages and has already achieved mass production capability. The development of its second-generation human-like collagen product, designed based on AI-algorithm-derived sequences for skin wound repair and medical aesthetic injections, is progressing smoothly. Furthermore, leveraging synthetic biology, the company has built a robust pipeline in the health supplement and cosmetics sectors, with its oil-control peptide having completed pilot-scale validation and scheduled for mass production. In terms of sales, Meiliu Bio demonstrates strong commercialization capabilities, and Sichuan Rongle CVC, the lead investor in this funding round, will provide mature sales network support and overseas channels for select products. We are optimistic about advanced synthetic biology companies that possess both strong scientific achievement transformation capabilities and excellent commercial prowess, and we look forward to supporting Meiliu Bio’s long-term growth.

Rongle Investment is a diversified investment firm established in 2000, with business interests spanning the beauty industry, internet technology, biotechnology, cosmetics development and manufacturing, e-commerce operations, social new retail, technical platform development and operation, and laser coding. Upholding innovation-driven growth and ethical business practices, the company has built competitive advantages in both domestic and international markets through differentiated strategies. In addition to deepening its presence in the Chinese market, Rongle Investment is actively expanding its industrial products business and overseas consumer goods distribution channels, continuously broadening its business scope and market influence. Its subsidiary, Sichuan Rongle Cosmetics Co., Ltd., among other affiliated companies, has received the “3.15 Quality Certification” for consecutive years.”"Consumer-Trusted Brand”Such honors demonstrate the company’s outstanding performance in quality management and brand building. Rongle Investment is committed to providing consumers with high-quality products and services, contributing to economic and social development, and continuously creating miracles of leapfrog growth.

Hangzhou Xihu Kechuang Equity Investment Co., Ltd. (Xihu Sci-Tech Venture Capital), established in October 2020, is a state-owned enterprise directly under the People’s Government of Xihu District, Hangzhou. It serves as the management and operating entity for three major fund clusters—the Xihu District Direct Investment Fund, the Venture Capital Guidance Fund, and the Industrial Fund—as well as two guarantee platforms: financing guarantees and the technology risk pool. The company manages assets totaling nearly RMB 10 billion.Its investment focus centers on five key sectors: life and health, digital economy, intelligent manufacturing, aerospace information, and cultural consumption. To date, it has nurtured 23 unicorn (or near-unicorn) companies among its portfolio enterprises, including nine added in the past year alone. This accounts for 17.3% of all new near-unicorns in Hangzhou, making it the venture capital firm that has cultivated the highest number of new near-unicorns in the city over the past year. Additionally, it has fostered 20 specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative (“Little Giant”) enterprises at or above the provincial level, including six at the national level.