Lighthouse Gene Secures Nearly RMB 100 Million Series B Financing, Xuejian Capital Serves as Exclusive Financial Advisor
Digital PCR (dPCR) technology is an absolute quantification method for nucleic acid molecules. As the third-generation nucleic acid detection technology, following first-generation conventional PCR and second-generation quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), it represents one of the most sensitive nucleic acid quantification methods currently available. Its core principle involves partitioning the reaction mixture into tens of thousands of independent PCR reaction units for single-molecule amplification, followed by fluorescence signal counting and application of Poisson distribution statistics to determine the copy number of target molecules. The basic dPCR workflow primarily consists of four steps: sample preparation, droplet generation, nucleic acid amplification, and data analysis, making it simple to operate and easy to master. Compared with first- and second-generation PCR technologies, dPCR offers advantages such as high sensitivity, high specificity, and absolute quantification. It holds promising application prospects in early detection of infectious diseases, early cancer screening and companion diagnostics, reproductive genetic screening, food safety, and environmental monitoring.
Since securing RMB 140 million in Series A+ financing in 2021, PILOT Gene Technologies, under the leadership of its founder Mr. Xia Jiang, has entered a fast lane of business growth. Rooted in China, PILOT Gene Technologies has ranked first among domestic brands in digital PCR procurement for two consecutive years, taking the lead in clinical market segments with a market share surpassing that of imported brands. On the global front, the company obtained multiple CE certificates for its digital PCR platforms and reagents in 2022, formally initiating its overseas expansion. In terms of product portfolio enhancement, PILOT Gene Technologies has successively launched the fully automated digital PCR workstation DW3200 and the fully automated droplet digital PCR system AD9600. This year, it introduced the new-generation compact all-in-one digital PCR system, Pilot1200, ushering digital PCR into a new era of point-of-care testing (POCT). Leveraging its robust digital PCR detection platform, PILOT Gene Technologies provides comprehensive, full-cycle, and all-scenario solutions for bloodstream infections, tuberculosis/non-tuberculous mycobacteria, invasive fungal infections, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and herpesviruses.
Figure: PILOT Gene Digital PCR Testing Platform
Regarding this round of financing and future plans,Mr. Xia Jiang, Founder of PILOT Gene Technologies“The Company stated: ‘We extend our sincere gratitude to Simiao Capital and our existing shareholders for their recognition and support of PILOT Gene. With industry-leading technology and top-tier talent, PILOT Gene will, following the completion of this financing round, consolidate its existing business while advancing the deployment of new devices such as POCT systems and accelerating the domestic and international promotion of supporting reagents. We are committed to establishing PILOT Gene as a global leader in precision diagnostics, providing users with high-quality digital PCR testing equipment and solutions, and contributing to the advancement of the Healthy China initiative.’”
In recognition of PILOT Gene technologies' outstanding performance in market expansion and R&D advancement in recent years,Chai Zhiying, Partner at Simiao CapitalHe stated, “As a leading enterprise in the field of digital PCR in China, PILOT Gene Technologies has experienced rapid growth in recent years, establishing a robust product portfolio and developing solutions tailored to diverse application scenarios. We hope that PILOT Gene Technologies will leverage its professional R&D team and extensive experience in clinical translation to achieve continuous breakthroughs, benefiting patients worldwide with more cutting-edge technologies and products.”
Liu Weidong, Partner at Xuejian CapitalIt is indicated that digital PCR technology holds broad application prospects in the field of molecular diagnostics, particularly for bloodstream infections, where there is extensive expert consensus. Xuejian Capital is honored to maintain a long-term and continuous partnership with PILOT Gene Technologies. As a leading domestic player in the digital PCR sector, PILOT Gene Technologies has established a robust product portfolio and developed tailored solutions for diverse application scenarios.
About Simiao Capital
Simiao Capital is a venture capital fund dedicated to the healthcare sector in China. Guided by the philosophy of “passion for innovation, value creation,” the firm has invested in numerous outstanding companies, including Venus Medtech, Zhiyun Health, and Ruijian Medical. Looking ahead, Simiao Capital will maintain its focused strategy, striving to create value for more enterprises and grow alongside entrepreneurs.
About PILOT Gene
PILOT Gene Technologies is a national-level high-tech enterprise engaged in the research and development, manufacturing, sales, and services of life sciences. The company boasts a high-caliber multidisciplinary R&D team and a highly professional senior sales team, and has established world-class R&D centers and GMP-certified production facilities. Guided by its mission to “Pioneer Genetic Technology, Safeguard Life and Health,” PILOT Gene Technologies focuses on the development of digital PCR (dPCR) technology. Leveraging its independently developed, industry-leading multi-color fluorescence channel dPCR platform, the company has successively launched diagnostic kits for various research applications, including infectious diseases, oncology, and reproductive genetics. It is actively promoting the registration and approval of these kits, providing comprehensive, full-cycle, and all-scenario solutions to address unmet needs in scientific research and clinical practice, thereby facilitating leapfrog development in life sciences and clinical diagnostics.
About Xuejian Capital
Xuejian Capital is a boutique investment bank specializing in hard-tech innovators within the healthcare, high-end manufacturing, and new materials sectors. Driven by research to propel enterprises toward leapfrog development, it envisions leveraging capital to harness technology for the benefit of humanity. By fostering a pragmatic corporate culture, delivering efficient financing solutions, and providing professional value-added services, Xuejian Capital empowers outstanding entrepreneurial teams. Its founding team hails from renowned investment banks, venture capital firms, and the Big Four accounting firms, bringing years of experience in corporate operations management and mergers and acquisitions. Through full-lifecycle services, the firm leverages its multidimensional capabilities to comprehensively empower its clients.