Xingputai Completes Tens of Millions RMB Strategic Financing to Accelerate Construction of AI-CRO/CDMO Smart Factory for Peptide Therapeutics

VCBeat has learned that recently,Taizhou Xingputai Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Xingputai”) announced the completion of a strategic financing round amounting to tens of millions of RMB. This round was jointly invested by leading domestic listed pharmaceutical companies Xingqi Pharmaceutical and Humanwell Healthcare, industry player Freier Pharmaceutical, and Purple Knight Capital, an emerging venture capital fund specializing in the peptide field., this investment also marks the first foray into the peptide field for the two listed companies, Xingqi Pharmaceutical and Humanwell Healthcare. Currently, SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. plans to initiate a new round of financing, with Yuan Yi Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor.

As a significant branch of the biopharmaceutical sector, peptide drugs have played a crucial role in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases—including diabetes, obesity, cancer, and hepatitis—due to their broad indications, high safety profile, and remarkable efficacy. In the past two years, the peptide drug market has experienced explosive and sustained growth, with blockbuster drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide achieving remarkable success in the global market. Particularly in 2023, the peptide drug industry reached a new milestone: Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide surpassed $20 billion in sales and is projected to soon become the world’s top-selling drug, while Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide also exceeded $4 billion in sales. The surging global demand for peptide drugs has attracted numerous pharmaceutical companies to enter the field, driving substantial demand for contract research and manufacturing services, thereby ushering the peptide CRO/CDMO industry into a period of rapid expansion.

Established in 2019 by SunPeptide, an industry-leading AI-enabled peptide Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), SPACE PEPTIDES brings together a senior team with extensive expertise in both peptide R&D and industrialization.The Xingputai project is located in the Taixing Economic Development Zone, one of China’s top ten chemical industry parks. With a total investment of RMB 1.03 billion and covering an area of 120 mu, the project has been included in the National Major Construction Project Database. Xingputai integrates globally leading AI-driven drug discovery technologies with advanced green peptide synthesis processes, and has undertaken CDMO services for innovative peptide drugs from multiple renowned pharmaceutical companies both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, Xingputai has successfully developed more than 10 high-value-added peptide API products, including blockbusters such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, covering multiple therapeutic areas including diabetes and weight management, anti-infective treatments, and ophthalmic diseases. The quality control of some of these products has surpassed that of the original foreign-developed counterparts.

Dr. He Runze, Chairman of SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD., stated：“We are honored to have secured the support and trust of Xingqi Pharmaceutical, Humanwell Healthcare, Freier Pharma, and Purple Knight Capital in SPACE PEPTIDES’ first round of external financing. This financing marks a further deepening of collaboration between Shengpu Zetai & SPACE PEPTIDES and these four leading pharmaceutical companies and investment firms, while also providing greater access to real-world demands from pharmaceutical enterprises for subsequent peptide new drug R&D and production. As this year marks the first year of SPACE PEPTIDES’ commercialization, this funding will further accelerate the translation of achievements in its novel, efficient, and green peptide synthesis technologies, driving the production and sales of high-value-added peptide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. SPACE PEPTIDES will join hands with Xingqi Pharmaceutical, Humanwell Healthcare, Freier Pharma, and more industry partners to promote the development of innovative peptide drugs in China, with the aim of benefiting more patients.”

Driven by the remarkable clinical efficacy and broad therapeutic potential of peptide drugs demonstrated in recent years, as well as the enhanced efficiency of drug development brought about by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the peptide CDMO industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. stands at the forefront of this transformation. By integrating innovative AI technologies with our expertise in chemically synthesized peptides, we continuously enhance our service quality and market competitiveness. We believe that through sustained technological innovation and resource integration, SPACE PEPTIDES will further expand its influence in the global peptide CDMO market.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust and support of all investors and customers. Through this investment and resource integration, we believe that SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. will further expand its market influence and provide more high-quality treatment options for patients worldwide. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen cooperation with our partners, drive sustained progress and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, and strive to make greater contributions to human health.”

Xingqi Pharmaceutical stated:“Xingqi Pharmaceutical has engaged in deep collaboration with Dr. He’s team on multiple early-stage R&D projects for innovative peptide drugs. We highly recognize the extensive experience and innovative spirit of Dr. He’s team in the field of peptide therapeutics, and we are very optimistic about SPACE PEPTIDES’ technological advantages in innovative peptide drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). We look forward to working with Dr. He’s team and SPACE PEPTIDES to jointly advance the development of peptide-based therapies in ophthalmology, bringing more accessible and innovative treatment options to patients.”

Humanwell Healthcare stated:“Humanwell Healthcare entered into a strategic partnership with Shengpu Zetai, the parent company of SPACE PEPTIDES, in 2023 to jointly advance the research, development, and commercialization of a global first-in-class novel peptide drug for combating drug-resistant bacteria. This financing round marks the commencement of comprehensive cooperation between the two parties at both business and capital levels. Through this round of financing, we believe that SPACE PEPTIDES will further solidify its unique advantages in the fields of innovative peptide drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Humanwell Healthcare looks forward to a long-term partnership with SPACE PEPTIDES to jointly promote the development of China’s peptide drug industry.”

Fureier Pharmaceutical stated:“It is a great honor to become a significant shareholder of SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. Our transition from customer to investment partner stems from our firm trust in the quality of Xingputai’s drugs, such as semaglutide, as well as its manufacturing capacity and comprehensive hardware and software capabilities, which fully align with our core values of innovation, quality, and service. Through our collaboration on the semaglutide project, we have witnessed the strength of Xingputai’s manufacturing facilities. We deeply recognize that a high-quality pharmaceutical product requires not only efficient R&D capabilities but also strict control over every stage of the production process to ensure product safety and efficacy. We look forward to deepening our cooperation with Xingputai in the R&D and manufacturing of peptide drugs, jointly exploring the development and production of more innovative medicines.”

Purple Knight Capital stated:“With peptide drugs demonstrating unique advantages and high efficacy in the treatment of various diseases in recent years, the peptide CDMO market is experiencing rapid growth. Future demand for personalized and precision medicine will further drive development in this field. As an emerging enterprise in this sector, SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. has achieved significant success in areas such as peptide API production, leveraging its superior process technology and green manufacturing concepts. We look forward to collaborating with SPACE PEPTIDES PHARMACEUTICAL (TAIZHOU) CO., LTD. and other investment partners to jointly promote innovation and application of peptide technologies, achieving win-win development.”

Shenyang Xingqi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. was established in 1977. It is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, production, and sales of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. The company was listed on the ChiNext Board of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2016, with stock code: 300573. The company possesses a National Enterprise Technology Center and a National Postdoctoral Research Station. In 2022, it received the Silver Award of the 9th Liaoning Provincial Governor’s Quality Award, and in 2023, it was honored with the 20th China National Quality Award.

Currently, the company’s product portfolio includes medications to slow myopia progression in children, dry eye treatments, ophthalmic anti-infectives, ophthalmic anti-inflammatory/anti-infective combination drugs, artificial tears and ocular lubricants, nutritional agents and corneal repair medications, mydriatics and cycloplegics, ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), miotics and anti-glaucoma medications, and intraocular irrigation solutions for surgery. Covering more than ten specialized categories of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, the company provides high-quality products for the treatment of eye diseases.

Guided by high-quality Party building to drive high-quality corporate development, the company adheres to its mission of “Promoting Health, Creating Brightness,” strives toward its vision of “becoming a globally competitive ophthalmic pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing enterprise,” practices its core values of “Dedication, Innovation, Responsibility, and Win-Win Cooperation,” and actively contributes to the global eye health industry.

Humanwell Healthcare Group Co. Ltd., established in 1993 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 1997 (Stock Code: 600079), is a leading pharmaceutical industrial enterprise in Hubei Province, ranked among the Top 30 Pharmaceutical Industrial Enterprises in China, designated as a National Demonstration Enterprise for Technological Innovation, and recognized as a pioneer in the internationalization of pharmaceutical formulations among Chinese pharmaceutical companies. The company has established leadership or leading positions in multiple niche sectors within China, including narcotic drugs, steroidal hormone drugs, and Uyghur ethnic medicines.

The Company focuses primarily on pharmaceutical manufacturing, supplemented by pharmaceutical commerce, while steadily advancing its internationalization. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it has established full-formulation production capabilities across the entire industry chain, encompassing pharmaceutical intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical excipients, and drug formulations. In pharmaceutical commerce, it adheres to its positioning as a “comprehensive supplier of medical services,” strategically deploying its commercial network to achieve comprehensive regional coverage. In terms of internationalization, the Company has built end-to-end capabilities across the global pharmaceutical value chain, including R&D, registration, manufacturing, and sales, with more than 80 products exported to over 70 countries and regions worldwide.

The company is anchored in innovative drugs, novel formulations, and high-end generics with significant clinical value, targeting frontier areas to build a world-class integrated platform for R&D and industrialization. It has established R&D centers in Wuhan and Yichang, China, as well as in New Jersey and St. Louis, the United States. The Group has over 500 projects under development, including more than 30 Class 1 new drugs.

Humanwell Healthcare is firmly committed to its development strategy of “becoming a leader in niche pharmaceutical markets.” By pursuing three strategic pathways—“focus, innovation, and internationalization”—the company aims to progressively transition from following and catching up with global peers to leading the industry, thereby building a world-class pharmaceutical enterprise with global competitiveness.

Xiamen Free Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is an enterprise primarily engaged in metabolic drugs. The company boasts a well-structured organizational framework and a professional management team, as well as a highly skilled and experienced workforce. This enables the company to maintain steady growth amidst fierce market competition and continuously explore new business areas. In its future development, the company will continue to uphold the business philosophy of “Quality First, Customer Supreme,” strive for excellence, and make greater contributions to industry progress and social development.

Purple Knight Capital L.P. is a venture capital fund focused on the peptide sector, with a vision to enhance human health and quality of life through innovative peptide research and development technologies. The fund partners with exceptional entrepreneurs, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to drive innovation in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and daily chemical industries. The firm firmly believes that the application of AI will significantly improve R&D efficiency, advance personalized and precision medicine, and have a profound impact on human health.