ImmunoPhage Completes Over RMB 200 Million Equity and Debt Financing to Advance First-in-Class Innovative Drug Pipeline into Clinical Trials
VCBeat has learned that Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as“Aimeifei”) announced the completion of Phase IB1-round financing. This round was led by Zhongbo Juli, and combined with debt financing, the total amount reached nearly2RMB 100 million, with Duowei Capital serving as the financial advisor for this round of financing.
It is reported that this round of financing will be used to support the clinical development of Aimeifei's first-tier products.IIPhase trials, and clinical development of certain products in the second tierIPhase trials. Aimeifei will continue to secure rolling financing thereafter, steadily advancing clinical trial progress and striving for early product launch to bring new hope to patients.
Aimeifei was established in2016, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to targeting globally leading therapeutic targetsfirst-in-classInnovative Drug Development. The company has long been dedicated to basic and translational medical research on major diseases, with particular expertise in the discovery of novel targets. It possesses both small-molecule and large-molecule drug screening platforms, and has independently established capabilities in target validation, drug screening, preclinical efficacy evaluation, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary safety assessment.INDPlatforms for regulatory submissions, clinical medicine, and clinical operations, independently developing innovative drugs with global independent intellectual property rights.
Aimeifei has already2018established its global R&D center (Anmengde Pharma) in Shanghai in [year], and2021Established wholly-owned subsidiaries in Sydney, Australia, and San Francisco, USA, respectively, to support overseas clinical research and business development. Aimeifei has been recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise and selected as a unicorn incubatee for two consecutive years.2021and2022Won for Two Consecutive Years“China Biopharmaceutical Industry Chain Innovation Power List”Golden Horse Awards.
Note: Aimeifei Global Headquarters
Note: Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. has been honored with2022(The 3rd) China Biopharmaceutical Industry Chain Innovation Leaders List“Golden Horse Awards”of“2022Most Promising Startups”
Note: Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. has been honored with2022Year“Nanjing City Cultivates Unicorn Enterprises”
Aimeifei boasts a rich product pipeline, with nearly twenty patents filed to date.PCTPatents, some of which have been granted in the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and other countries or regions. Owing to the global leadership of its R&D projects, the company’s multiple first- and second-tier pipeline candidates have attracted strong interest from multinational pharmaceutical companies and major domestic pharmaceutical enterprises. Commercial negotiations are currently underway, with expectations to finalize out-licensing or co-development agreements within the year.
Currently, Aimeifei's First-Tier ProjectsIPG1094、IPG7236Launched in China, the United States, and Australia.IPhase clinical trial.
IPG1094For the same target globally (MIF) the first small-molecule inhibitor approved for clinical trials, which has currently completed clinical studies in adult healthy subjectsIPhase trial. Clinical data indicate that, within the target dose range,IPG1094Demonstrates favorable safety and tolerability in the human body, is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, and is effective in treating autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (such asMS), primary or secondary brain tumor diseases have good application prospects. For autoimmune diseasesIIPhase clinical trials are about to commence.
IPG7236is the global same-target (CCR8) The only small-molecule antagonist to have entered clinical trials, with two clinical trials currently underway:
Multicenter Solid Tumor Studies in China and the United StatesI/IIaPhase I Clinical Trial: Preliminary data indicate a favorable safety profile and initial antitumor efficacy in certain patients.
Healthy Subjects in AustraliaIPhase I Clinical Trial: Dose Escalation from50 mg to500 mgNo drug-related toxic side effects were observed, demonstrating its safety and favorable pharmacokinetic properties across different doses.
All three innovative drug projects in Aimeifei's second-tier pipeline are independently developed by Aimeifei and possessPCTPatents, all of which have entered the clinical trial application stage, among whichIPG11406 ofINDApplication has been2023Year3Month8Day of receiving U.S.FDADefault License.
IPG11406is a novel targetedGPCRsmall-molecule antagonists. Preclinical data indicate that,IPG11406Exhibits excellent physicochemical properties, high potency, favorable target specificity, and a wide safety window150such as doubling, in various autoimmune mouse models (MS、SLE、IBDandRA) exhibits dose-dependent efficacy, with a mechanism that fundamentally eliminates inflammatory cells at the lesion site, achieving complete disease remission. Compared withTNF-αCompared with anti-inflammatory cytokine antibody drugs,IPG11406It offers the advantages of sustained pharmacological efficacy and a low risk of recurrence. To date, no other antagonists targeting the same mechanism have entered clinical trials.
IPG8294is a targetedNAD+Small-molecule inhibitors of hydrolases, by upregulatingNAD+, Comprehensively corrects mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons, inhibits synaptic loss, and improves cognitive function. It has demonstrated promising efficacy in preclinical studies of mitochondrial myopathy and Alzheimer's disease.
IPG0521is a targetedCCR8bispecific antibody capable of high-potency blockadeCCR8signal and with weakADCCfunction. In preclinical studies,IPG0521 Capable of completely inhibiting tumor growth, its primary mechanism is not the elimination of intratumoralTreg, but significantly reducesTregimmunosuppressive properties, Restore anti-tumor immune responses. Compared with competitors,IPG0521Comparable antitumor efficacy with a better safety profile.
Fan Guohuang, Chairman of Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., stated:Aimeifei Pharmaceutical Established6For many years, it has steadfastly upheld its motto.“Excellence in Science and Technology, the Highest Ethical Standards, Patients’ Best Interests, and Continuous Technological Innovation”Rooted in China, with a global perspective. We define innovation as addressing the challenges encountered in current clinical treatments for major diseases, such as toxicity and drug resistance. By re-examining disease pathogenesis and delving into the fundamental nature of diseases, we identify novel targets to develop safer and more effective therapeutics. Our first-tier projects currently in clinical trials and our second-tier projects poised to enter clinical stages are all global first-in-class innovations, positioning us among the world’s leading pioneers. This fully demonstrates the Aimeifei team’s excellence in overcoming difficulties and daring to be first. Clinical trials of our first-tier projects have shown promising progress, and we look forward to bringing benefits to patients in the near future!
Although we have achieved the capability to execute the entire process with high quality—from target discovery, small-molecule and large-molecule drug screening, systematic pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies, and preliminary safety assessments, to independently conducting clinical trial applications and clinical operations—we are fully aware that there is still a long journey ahead. I sincerely appreciate the hard work of all employees at Nanjing Aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., extend my gratitude to our shareholders for their strong trust and steadfast support, and offer special thanks to Zhongbo Juli for providing timely assistance to Aimeifei during the severe capital winter. Zhongbo Juli is the most wise, principled, visionary, and responsible investment institution I have ever encountered. I believe this round of financing will significantly accelerate the progress of Aimeifei’s clinical research programs!
Kang Yaoyun, Chairman of Zhongbo Juli, stated:In recent years, domestic drug regulatory approval processes have continuously evolved, and R&D policies have entered a mature stage. Chinese pharmaceutical companies have significantly enhanced their capabilities in innovative drug development, clinical trial design, clinical trial execution, and communication with regulatory authorities. Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the representative companies among these innovative pharmaceutical enterprises.
Aimeifei conducts in-depth research into novel disease mechanisms, placing a strong emphasis on source innovation. The company possesses capabilities in target discovery and validation, underpinned by robust basic research and sustained innovative capacity. It has established advanced screening and testing platforms for both small-molecule and large-molecule drugs, built a strong management and R&D team, and developed a rich pipeline of new drug candidates. Aimeifei focuses on addressing unmet clinical needs, conducting research and development for major refractory diseases such as malignant tumors and autoimmune disorders.“First-in-class”New Drug Development: Striving to Achieve Global First-in-Class. Its R&D Pipeline Is Extensive, with Each Project Featuring Distinctive Characteristics and Prominent Global Competitive Advantages.
As collaborations and transactions between domestic pharmaceutical companies and overseas markets become increasingly frequent, the number of out-licensing deals for the overseas rights of Chinese-made innovative drugs is showing a rapid growth trend. Although the global expansion of Chinese-made innovative drugs is still in an exploratory stage, we look forward to more pharmaceutical companies with strong R&D innovation capabilities, like Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., courageously persisting in their exploration, riding the wave of the times, and ushering in widespread acclaim and substantial achievements for China’s innovative drug industry.
Zhongbo Juli was founded in2013years, with its primary investment focus on next-generation information technology, biopharmaceuticals, and new energy. Zhongbo Juli adheres to“Grounded in Technology, Delivering Value”investment philosophy that emphasizes the scarce value generated by technological innovation, avoiding herd mentality and blind conformity. It continuously identifies potential unicorn companies with high technical barriers and strong core competitiveness, empowering portfolio companies through both capital and resources to foster the development of China’s technology enterprises, create value, and benefit humanity and society.
Multidimensional Capital was founded in2016years, as a comprehensive investment bank with full coverage in cutting-edge technology, intelligent manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer culture and entertainment, the cumulative transaction amount exceeded200hundred million US dollars, Duowei Capital has been consistently committed to“Together with global entrepreneurs, from0To Infinity”。2022In 2023, Duowei Capital was listed on the “China’s Best Financial Advisory Comprehensive Ranking”Top 5」、 “China’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Financial Advisory Rankings”Top 6","China Healthcare Financial Advisory RankingsTop 10” series rankings.