Quzyme Bio Raises Nearly RMB 100 Million in Series A Funding Led by Tongde Capital

Recently, Nanjing Qumei Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Qumei Biotech") completed its Series A financing round,This funding round was led by Tongde Capital, with joint investments from Jingyuantong Investment, Houshi Investment, Kangju Venture Capital, Nanling Venture Capital, and Huayao Equity, raising nearly RMB 100 million. Qingjie Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor for this financing.

This round of financing will support Qumei Bio in building a green factory for natural food additives, further developing its new pipeline, and expanding its team.

Qumei Biotech, established in 2014, is an innovative synthetic biology company dedicated to providing “natural” and “bio-based” raw materials to a broad range of industrial clients.Leveraging its self-developed AI platform and over 20 years of industrialization experience, Qumei Biotech is building robust R&D capabilities and enabling rapid, continuous product iteration.。

Currently, Qumei Biotech has achieved groundbreaking “zero-to-one” advancements in internationally cutting-edge technologies, including the production of aromatic compounds and the degradation of benzene-containing resin plastics, reaching a globally leading level. Some of these technologies have already been filed for international patents. Meanwhile, Qumei’s process enables small-scale pilot trials within three months and medium-scale pilot trials within six months. The upcoming launch of its green manufacturing facility for natural food additives will further solidify and enhance Qumei Biotech’s industrialization capabilities.

QuMei Bio focuses on providing high value-added products in the fields of food additives, new materials, and new energy to a wide range of industrial customers.Strategic partnerships have been established with globally renowned companies such as Solvay and SHV Energy.。

Dr. Lin Tao, Founder of Qumei Bio“Synthetic biology is spawning new bioeconomy markets, with the potential to generate over $30 trillion in economic value in the future. We are honored that Qumei Bio can participate in this wave of synthetic biology creating everything. The new intelligent technology platform empowers our engineering team, enabling Qumei Bio to accelerate the delivery of more high-quality products to a broad range of industrial customers.”

“The completion of this funding round will enable QuMei Bio to establish a thousand-ton-scale mass production process for natural food additives, delivering higher-quality, more natural, and healthier food additives to customers while introducing more environmentally friendly and safer production processes to society. In the future, QuMei Bio will further accelerate the development of its intelligent technology platform to provide superior products and customized solutions for industrial clients across a broader range of sectors. We sincerely thank the investors in this round for their trust and support. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage QuMei Bio’s core strengths and expertise in long-term, large-scale product manufacturing, striving to create greater value amid the rising tide of synthetic biology.”

Dr. Xiao Zhenyu, Chairman of Tongde CapitalIt stated: “Synthetic biology is an emerging technology characterized by the interdisciplinary integration and innovation of life sciences and other fields, with engineering as its core objective. It boasts broad industrial application prospects and can be extensively applied in areas such as healthcare, green energy, daily chemicals and cosmetics, and food consumption, making it a highly promising investment direction for us.”

“Leveraging its synthetic biology platform, Qumei Bio has successfully established a library of biosynthetic enzymes and developed multiple products capable of pilot-scale and large-scale manufacturing, offering greater economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, and safety. We are honored to invest in the Qumei Bio team and look forward to the company’s imminent commencement of production and sales. By building on its enzyme library and synthetic biology platform, we anticipate that Qumei Bio will expand into more application scenarios and rapidly grow into an industry leader.”

Meng Song, Representative of the Executive Partner of Shandong Jingyuantong Investment Partnership EnterpriseIt stated: “As an emerging interdisciplinary field, synthetic biology is hailed as the ‘Third Revolution in Biological Sciences,’ facilitating humanity’s leap from ‘understanding life’ to ‘designing life.’ Currently, countries worldwide are promoting the rapid development of synthetic biology. China remains in the early stages of its synthetic biology development, with domestic policies successively introduced to support the growth of the synthetic biology industry. Against the backdrop of ‘carbon neutrality,’ the synthetic biology sector holds immense potential and has garnered favor from numerous investment institutions.”

QuMei Bio has established an efficient R&D and production system spanning gene design, cloning, and protein expression. It offers a comprehensive library of enzymes with independent intellectual property rights to the pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, fine chemical, and other industries. Focusing on four major product pipelines—food flavors and fragrances, pesticides, bio-based materials, and bioenergy—the company is committed to manufacturing products that are more natural, healthy, environmentally friendly, and safe. Guided by this vision, Shandong Jingyuantong aims to help QuMei Bio better unleash its potential, achieve further breakthroughs in R&D and production, and jointly shape a brighter future.

Tan Zhigang, Founding Partner of Houshi Investment“Qumei Biotech has developed a portfolio of products with pilot-scale and large-scale manufacturing capabilities, leveraging its synthetic biology platform. Its product matrix spans the chemical, materials, and agricultural sectors. The company’s industrialization team possesses the expertise to achieve commercial-scale biomanufacturing. We are honored to invest in the Qumei Biotech team and look forward to the company commencing production and sales at an early stage, continuously expanding its enzyme library and upstream synthetic biology technology platform, and soon emerging as a star enterprise in the field of biomanufacturing.”

Wu Yaling, General Manager of Kangju Venture Capitalstated: “Qumei Bio is a platform-based synthetic biology company that efficiently and cost-effectively delivers ‘natural’ and ‘bio-based’ ingredients by addressing the practical needs of industrial clients. We are optimistic about the Qumei team, led by Dr. Lin Tao, given their extensive industry experience in synthetic biology, their enterprising spirit, efficient R&D capabilities, continuous iteration, and the strong potential for commercializing high-value products in the fields of food additives, new materials, and new energy. We are honored to invest in the Qumei Bio team and look forward to the company becoming an industry leader in the near future.”

Hou Xuefeng, Managing Partner of Nanling Fund ManagementIt stated: “We are highly optimistic about the synthetic biology sector. As a key technology in the biomanufacturing industry, the development of synthetic biology processes aligns with the goals of ‘carbon neutrality’ and ‘green chemistry,’ and is poised to drive transformative changes in the production of raw materials across numerous fields. Dr. Lin Tao of QuMei Biotechnology has cultivated deep expertise in the synthetic biology industry over many years. His research achievements and innovative processes have yielded highly valuable breakthroughs in the preparation of product raw materials for the food and daily chemical, pesticide, pharmaceutical, and bioenergy sectors. Several products in pilot-scale trials have demonstrated effects approaching those of purely ‘natural’ counterparts, making their future commercialization promising.”

Cheng Yurui, Founder of Huayao Equity“Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field that has demonstrated broad application prospects in medicine, food, agriculture, bio-based materials, bioenergy, and environmental protection. Led by Dr. Lin Tao, the Qumei Bio team has achieved multiple zero-to-one technological breakthroughs, accumulated over 20 years of experience in engineering and industrialization, and developed a unique product selection logic, all of which endow Qumei Bio with the potential to become a star enterprise. We are honored to invest in Qumei Bio and look forward to the company achieving mass production soon and emerging as a leader in its niche sector.”

Nanjing Fosun Tongrui Fund is a venture capital fund under Fosun Pharma (600196.SH, 02196.HK). Established in July 2021 with the support of Nanjing Jiangbei Sci-Tech Investment Group, the fund has a size of RMB 500 million and focuses on investing in early- to mid-stage biopharmaceutical companies. Tongde Capital serves as the fund manager. Tongde Capital is a VC firm specializing in biopharmaceutical investments, primarily targeting innovative drugs and innovative biotechnologies, with an emphasis on early-stage and growth-stage projects. The team boasts profound industry expertise, extensive industrial and financial resources, and a proven track record of incubating and helping portfolio companies become industry leaders. Previous investments include Henlius (HK: 02696), HaiChuang Pharma (SH: 688302), Diamedica (NASDAQ: DMAC), Aadi Bioscience (NASDAQ: AADI), ASC Therapeutics, Nico Medical, Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals, and Aurigene Pharmaceutical.

Shandong Jingyuantong Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) is an external industrial operation platform jointly established by Beijing Darui Investment Co., Ltd. and Shandong Jingyuantong Industrial Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shandong Zhongxingrui Industrial Investment Group Co., Ltd. Its key investment areas within the investment sector include biopharmaceuticals, synthetic biology, and fine chemicals. The executive partner of Shandong Jingyuantong Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) is Beijing Darui Investment Co., Ltd. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Beijing, Beijing Darui Investment Co., Ltd. is a professional private equity firm specializing in deep cultivation and exploration of the primary market in the biopharmaceuticals and new materials sectors. Its investment scope covers multiple stages, including angel, venture capital (VC), private equity (PE), and Pre-IPO. The firm has successfully invested in numerous biopharmaceutical and new materials technology companies, such as Kangma Bio and Airui Bio.

Hainan Houshi Private Equity Fund Management Co., Ltd. is a specialized, market-oriented industrial investment institution established under Chongqing Jindi Gas Group Co., Ltd., focusing on early-stage investments in three major sectors: synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and new materials. The actual controller of Houshi Investment and the primary limited partners of its managed funds are the controlling shareholders of Chongqing Jindi Gas Group, whose industrial portfolio spans natural gas, agricultural tourism, and technology, with business operations and industrial resources distributed across more than ten provinces and municipalities nationwide. The company’s team boasts extensive industrial background and social resources. Currently, the assets under management total RMB 350 million, with over ten invested projects, including several related to synthetic biology.

Kangju Venture Capital is an investment firm focused on early-stage opportunities in the healthcare and medical sectors. Its management team possesses extensive expertise in medicine, as well as substantial experience in operating and investing in healthcare enterprises, demonstrating a profound understanding of both operational management and investment strategies within the industry. The firm’s investment focus primarily centers on innovative medical devices, novel drug development, in vitro diagnostics (IVD), and medical services. Guided by principles of integrity, professionalism, and altruism, Kangju Venture Capital empowers outstanding medical entrepreneurship teams by addressing genuine clinical needs and facilitating successful commercialization, thereby growing alongside its portfolio companies. The firm aims to deliver superior returns to its investors while contributing to the advancement of public health.

Nanling Equity Investment Fund Management (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Nanling Fund” or “Nanling Venture Capital”) was established in September 2017. It is a market-oriented and professional venture capital firm specializing in investments in high-tech sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biopharmaceuticals, new energy, and electronic information. Its funds have previously invested in companies including Haichuang Pharmaceutical, Hongxin Biology, Xinjinghe Laser, Huanchuang Technology, Shenzhi Weilai, and Jinxin Technology.

Shanghai Huayao Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. is the investment platform under Shandong Jinchao Holding Group Co., Ltd., with Huayao officially commencing operations following capital injection in 2020. Its parent company, Shandong Jinchao Holding, is a private enterprise group integrating highway engineering, real estate development, new building materials, and battery energy solutions. As the primary external investment entity, Shanghai Huayao focuses mainly on growth-stage projects in sectors such as biotechnology and photovoltaics. The company’s team leverages extensive financial resources and industry connections to support the incubation of its portfolio companies.