VJTBio Submits Prospectus for Two Globally First-in-Class Pet Antibody Drugs Already in NDA Stage, Aiming to Deliver High-Value Therapies to Over 60 Million Pet Owners

According to data from the 2021 White Paper on China’s Pet Industry, the number of urban pet (dog and cat) owners in China reached 68.44 million in 2021, representing an 8.7% increase from 2020. The annual market size of urban pet (dog and cat) consumption reached RMB 249 billion, a sharp rise of 20.6% compared with 2020. Data from iiMedia Research indicates that the market size of China’s pet industry is projected to reach RMB 592.8 billion in 2023.

The pet market currently comprises segments such as food, healthcare, and services. As a critical component of veterinary care, the pet pharmaceutical sector accounts for a relatively small share of the overall market due to lags in drug development and insufficient regulatory oversight. Looking ahead, with advancements in domestic R&D capabilities and diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, along with the establishment and improvement of laws, regulations, and enforcement supervision systems, the pet pharmaceutical market is poised for increasingly robust growth.

In the face of the rapidly growing demand in the pet pharmaceutical market and the current scarcity of pet pharmaceutical products, the field of new pet drugs demonstrates broad development prospects.As an observer of the healthcare industry, VCBeat is also closely monitoring the development of this emerging field. To this end, VCBeat interviewed Professor Luo Haoshu, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Scientist of Weijiexin Biotechnology, to explore how to achieve original innovation in the pet pharmaceutical sector, how to overcome the “cost-performance” dilemma, and how to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies for the pet market.

Prior to launching his own venture, Professor Luo dedicated many years to research in animal reproductive endocrinology and genetic engineering, accumulating profound academic expertise and extensive experience in veterinary drug development. He focused on elucidating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of neuroendocrine factors within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, thereby providing a critical experimental foundation and theoretical basis for investigating the pathogenesis of reproductive endocrine disorders in both animals and humans, as well as for developing pharmacological treatments.

In academia, Professor Luo, as a key academic figure, has led and participated in four National Key Basic Research Program (973 Program) projects under the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, three national key R&D programs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and multiple projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation. He has published more than 50 SCI-indexed papers in renowned international journals in the field of reproductive endocrinology, and has filed over 30 patents. He serves as the scientist for the breeding and disease prevention and control position within the Beijing Pig Industry System, is recognized as a Leading Entrepreneurial Talent in Beijing, and is classified as a Category A entrepreneurial talent in the pharmaceutical group of Zhejiang Province’s “Taizhou 500 Elites” program.

In 2016, in response to the national policy encouraging researchers to promote the integration of industry, academia, and research, Professor Luo established Weijiexin Company to initiate the research, development, and industrial translation of innovative veterinary drugs, with the aim of resolving critical technological bottlenecks in China’s agricultural sector.

On How to Transition from a Scientist to a Tech Entrepreneur,Professor Luo told VCBeat, “The most important thing for startups is to have a ‘zero-based’’“Mindset and a strong capacity for self-evolution, so the first thing is to forget that you are a scientist.”

He noted that researchers are prone to falling into a common pitfall. Scientists may spend decades on theoretical exploration and technological discovery, using these as the starting point for product development. While industrial translation rooted in basic scientific research is not inherently wrong, it should not be the primary principle for product development. Instead, teams should be organized closely around market demands to tackle key technical challenges for target products. On the other hand, if translation efforts are based solely on theoretical knowledge and technological platforms, issues such as target clustering and technological homogenization are likely to arise.

“Therefore, in the process of translating scientific research into commercial applications, researchers must sometimes have the courage to let go of their previous attachments and approach entrepreneurship with a more open mindset and a broader perspective. Only by truly adopting a backward-design approach—starting with the end goal in mind and taking market demand as the primary starting point—can they achieve differentiated competition and develop viable, high-quality products,” Professor Luo told VCBeat.

In addition to having a “zero-based”Beyond mindset, Professor Luo adheres to a pragmatic, down-to-earth approach in translating research achievements into commercial applications. “Only by maintaining humility can we continuously reset to zero, enabling our company to navigate steadily and sustainably through the fierce dynamics of industrial competition. For each financing round at Weijiexin, I personally engage in face-to-face discussions with investors. I consider every in-depth communication with investors a crucial learning opportunity, as they offer alternative perspectives on the company’s present and future, providing valuable strategic advice for long-term development from a broader macroeconomic viewpoint.”

WeijiexinTo date, under the leadership of Professor Luo, the company has completed three rounds of financing, with a cumulative amount exceeding RMB 600 million, gaining favor from professional investment institutions in the pharmaceutical sector, including SDIC Innovation Investment, China Life Health Industry Fund, Zhongguancun Science City Company, and Junyue Shared.Fengchuan Capital,Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Investment, Dexin Venture Capital, Beijing Shoufa Zhan Tianji Fund, Xinshang Capital, Guangdong Shunde Sci-Tech Innovation Management Group, and Hongshi Capital.

Currently, Weijiexin has assembled an international team dedicated to the R&D, production, and operation of innovative animal pharmaceuticals. The company has filed a total of 22 invention patents (including both approved applications and pending filings), with 5 patents granted and 1 international patent secured.

With the combined support of the team and capital,Weijiexin has also established a high-efficiency expression platform for mammalian cell-based protein therapeutics, as well as a design and screening platform for pet antibody drugs.

The former encompasses a comprehensive CMC process development and pilot-scale platform based on the CHO system, natural B-cell antibody libraries and immune libraries (from dogs, cats, pigs, and cattle), as well as genetically engineered CHO cell lines enhanced through gene-editing technologies. The latter covers end-to-end technologies for antibody discovery, evaluation, and optimization, including immunized mouse screening, phage display library screening, and CHO cell line screening; in vitro and in vivo activity assessment and developability analysis; and advanced technical operations such as canine/feline antibody humanization (or species-specific reshaping) and antibody optimization.

Based on this, Weijiexin has currently established a strategic presence in three major areas: animal reproduction, disease prevention and control, and pet diseases.

In the field of animal reproduction, With the highly modernized and intensive development of animal husbandry, how to artificially intervene in the animal reproduction process to achieve estrus synchronization and batch production technology, thereby improving reproductive efficiency, has become an urgent issue to be addressed in the modern breeding industry. There is an urgent market demand for high-quality recombinant protein-based reproductive hormone products.VJT101 and VJT102, the world’s first recombinant animal protein reproductive hormone products developed by Weijiexin, received strong support from two national key R&D projects under China’s 14th Five-Year Plan in 2022.

Specifically, VJT101 is primarily used for estrus synchronization, batch breeding, improving reproductive rates, increasing litter size, and treating reproductive disorders in pigs, cattle, and sheep. Currently, VJT101 has achieved industrial-scale batch production. It features high purity and efficacy, with no dependence on seasonal production cycles or restrictions related to animal-derived sources, marking a groundbreaking achievement in this field.

Recombinant Human Chorionic Gonadotropin VJT102 is primarily used for estrus synchronization and batch production in pigs, cattle, and sheep; this product is also extensively applied for induced spawning and fry rearing in freshwater fish.VJT102 is the world’s first recombinant HCG veterinary drug product, featuring pioneering innovation, low cost, high purity, and high activity. More importantly, the combined use of VJT101 and VJT102 can significantly improve the reproductive rate of sows. Currently, both products are in the New Drug Application (NDA) stage, with commercialization imminent.

In the Field of Animal Disease Prevention and Control, Weijiexin has developed a porcine cytokine pipeline, VJT202, for the prevention and treatment of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV). Targeting PEDV and PRRSV, Weijiexin has developed novel cytokine-based therapeutics that effectively prevent and treat these diseases. Preclinical trial data indicate that VJT202 can significantly inhibit PEDV-induced damage to piglet small intestinal epithelial cells, substantially reducing mortality rates from PEDV-associated diarrhea in piglets.Clinical trials for this pipeline are advancing rapidly, and the product received strong support from one national key R&D project under the 14th Five-Year Plan last year.

In the Field of Pet Diseases, Weijiexin has strategically focused on developing antibody drugs for canine tumors, refractory canine dermatitis, and osteoarticular pain in dogs and cats. Among these, VJT301 has entered Phase I clinical trials, while the other three products are expected to file Investigational New Drug (IND) applications next year. Based on relevant data, Weijiexin predicts that the domestic end-market size for its veterinary pipeline products exceeds RMB 70 billion.

It is worth mentioning that Weijiexin has broken through foreign patent barriers, developing the domestically produced IL-31 signaling pathway antibody drug VJT305, as well as the antibody drugs VJT311 and VJT314 targeting the NGF signaling pathway in dogs and cats, respectively.Weijiexin’s canine IL-31 antibody is poised to become the first domestically produced therapeutic antibody in China for treating refractory dermatitis and osteoarticular pain in dogs. Furthermore, current in vitro and in vivo efficacy data indicate that Weijiexin’s anti-IL-31 antibody molecule demonstrates superior performance compared to a publicly disclosed drug with the same target from a major international animal health corporation.

Unlike most animal health companies, Weijiexin is one of the few in China dedicated to the research and development of new pet drugs.A company developing high-end animal protein antibody drugs in accordance with human pharmaceutical quality control standards.

Professor Luo explained that the general development process for a new veterinary drug is not significantly different from that of human pharmaceuticals. Preclinical studies require toxicological safety assessments, pharmacological and efficacy evaluations, and pharmacokinetic studies. Clinical trials must be conducted as rigorous clinical research at veterinary hospitals qualified under Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards for veterinary drugs.

If R&D proceeds smoothly, developing a new Class I veterinary drug for pets will take approximately 5–7 years, with an estimated budget of RMB 50 million.

In addition, the development of innovative drugs for pets presents some differentiated challenges.

First, fundamental research on pet diseases is relatively weak compared to that on human diseases.Unlike livestock, which are critical to public livelihood and have received substantial domestic research investment, the emerging pet industry currently suffers from a relative scarcity of foundational research and scientific funding.

Second, the industry currently lacks key reagents, biological materials, and specialized CRO companies required for the development of innovative veterinary drugs.In China, the animal models, cell lines, test kits, and other products and services offered by a large number of CROs are primarily oriented toward human pharmaceuticals, making it difficult for companies developing novel veterinary drugs to find outsourcing partners for contract manufacturing. However, if all related work is conducted in-house during the early stages of drug development, it requires substantial human resources, material inputs, and time.

Most importantly, the adoption of emerging technologies with superior therapeutic efficacy inevitably entails higher costs. However, given that regulations, pricing mechanisms, and medical insurance systems in the veterinary pharmaceutical sector remain to be further refined, a pressing challenge lies in ensuring that high-quality products are readily accepted by pet owners.

To address these pain points in the pet pharmaceutical sector, Beijing Weijiexin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has achieved cost reduction and efficiency enhancement in the development of new veterinary drugs through years of dedicated efforts, leveraging biopharmaceutical technologies to develop genetically engineered high-end animal protein antibody therapeutics.

It is reported that the cost-effectiveness of its antibody drugs for treating pet tumors, refractory dermatitis, and pain is higher than that of a certain foreign animal health giant’s drugs targeting the same indications. Weijiexin also enables domestic pet owners toMore Affordable PricesBy leveraging the world’s most innovative animal antibody drugs, “Weijiexin is dedicated to making life better for the Chinese people—whether by promoting the development of large-scale, green, and safe livestock farming or by developing high-end therapeutics for pet diseases. This means healthier and safer meat, eggs, and dairy products for consumers, as well as healthy and lively pets to accompany their owners.”

To accelerate commercialization, Weijiexin’s Beijing R&D Center and Zhejiang production base are both advancing their operations at full speed. The Beijing R&D Center, located in Haidian District, comprises two buildings dedicated to research and development and office functions, with a total area of over 5,000 square meters. The Zhejiang production base is situated in the Xianju Economic Development Zone of Taizhou, representing an investment of more than RMB 200 million and covering a construction area of approximately 30,000 square meters.

Currently, the production base has completed GMP static validation. Its production line is the first in China for recombinant animal protein antibody drugs based on the mammalian cell CHO expression system, and also the world’s first production line for recombinant animal protein reproductive hormones.In addition, Weijiexin has established close collaborative partnerships with leading domestic agricultural research institutions and universities, including China Agricultural University, Huazhong Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

When discussing future development, Professor Luo told VCBeat, “Our most important goal at present is to rapidly bring our two core products, VJT101 and JVT102, to market, while ensuring that one new product is launched for commercial sale each year thereafter. Weijiexin’s long-term vision is ‘Caring for Animals, Committed to Human Health,’ aiming to resolve critical technological bottlenecks in China’s agricultural sector and emerge as a global leader in innovative animal pharmaceuticals.”