Noan Baite Biotechnology Secures Nearly RMB 100 Million Series B Funding to Advance Phage-Based Biotherapeutics

Qingdao Nuoan Baite Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Nuoan Baite”), a leading domestic provider of comprehensive phage-based solutions for drug-resistant bacteria, has recently completed a Series B financing round of nearly RMB 100 million. The round was led by Cenova Capital, with participation from Morningside Venture Capital, while funds affiliated with two existing shareholders continued to increase their investments. iBanker Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor to Nuoan Baite in this transaction.

As a leading provider of antibiotic-alternative solutions in China’s animal health sector, Nuoan Baite has established the country’s largest enterprise-level phage library and developed a range of phage-based solutions targeting bacterial diseases in livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and pet health.

In China, high stocking densities and large-scale operations have led to a heightened risk of bacterial infections—particularly those caused by antibiotic-resistant strains such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio species—posing immeasurable losses to large-scale aquaculture and livestock enterprises. Meanwhile, following the implementation of China’s “antibiotic ban” in the animal farming sector in 2020, the development of novel alternatives to antibiotics for treating or preventing bacterial infections has become a focal point within the industry. Due to their high specificity, targeting only particular pathogenic bacteria, bacteriophages offer a strong safety profile for industrial applications. However, complex farming environments often involve polymicrobial infections with multiple pathogens, necessitating the use of phage cocktails to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. To address this challenge, Qingdao Nuoan Baite Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has leveraged its unique “Bacterial Stewardship” technical service model to establish China’s largest enterprise-level repository of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and corresponding bacteriophage isolates. By integrating clinical diagnostics with big data on disease epidemiology, the company formulates tailored phage cocktails targeting multiple resistant bacteria, demonstrating significant efficacy in both the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases in clinical practice.

The proceeds from this financing round will be primarily allocated to the construction of a GMP-compliant bacteriophage manufacturing facility and clinical trials for new drug candidates. The Company has submitted an application to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for clinical trial approval of its Class I novel veterinary bacteriophage drug. Multiple bacteriophage new drug development projects are progressing smoothly, with regulatory filing timelines maintaining an absolute industry lead. The Company remains committed to establishing itself as a domestic leader in bacteriophage-based biological therapeutic solutions.

Pan Qiang, Founder and Chairman of the Board“It is stated that antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections pose a severe threat to the health of animals, plants, and humans. The development of biological therapeutic products, such as bacteriophages and interferons, is key to ensuring the safe and efficient development of China’s aquaculture and livestock industries. Nuoan Baite will remain committed to R&D innovation, seize the historical opportunity presented by national policies aimed at reducing and replacing antibiotic use, and achieve rapid growth with the support of capital markets, striving to become a leading enterprise in China’s agricultural biotherapy sector. The iCapital team provided highly professional, comprehensive, and efficient services for this project’s financing, leveraging its deep understanding of the application of agricultural biotechnology. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with iCapital to secure more high-quality capital support for the healthy development of Nuoan Baite’s biotherapy business.”

Shen Xiaoyin, Managing Director at Cenova Capital

Wang Wei, Partner at Huiding Investmentstated: “As an angel investor and major shareholder of Nuoan Baite, we extend our warmest congratulations on the successful completion of its latest financing round. The Huiding team has witnessed firsthand the steady progress and numerous achievements made by the Nuoan Baite team under the leadership of Mr. Pan. We continue to strongly recognize Nuoan Baite’s technical reserves and execution capabilities in the fields of antibiotic reduction and replacement, as well as agricultural biological therapy. We remain committed to supporting Nuoan Baite’s growth and expansion, and look forward to seeing the company’s products benefit society at large.”

Tang Xun, Partner at Houxin Health Investment“It is stated that: ‘Bacteriophages, derived from and serving nature, have emerged as safe and highly effective potential alternatives to antibiotics against the backdrop of a comprehensive ban on antibiotic additives in feed and efforts to reduce and restrict antibiotic use in animal production. They hold broad application prospects across livestock and poultry, aquaculture, companion animals, and human medicine.’ As a scientist and entrepreneur deeply rooted in the animal health industry, Dr. Pan Qiang has led his team to rapidly establish a leading position in this niche sector within just over five years since the company’s founding. Leveraging bacteriophages as a core competency, the company has gradually expanded into a diverse portfolio of biological therapeutic products, offering a rich product mix to meet the needs of animal farming enterprises.”

Zou Ruihang, Head of the Agri-Tech Sector at China Renaissance Capitalstated: “We believe that Qingdao Nuoan Baite Biotechnology Co., Ltd. will become a leading enterprise in the field of agricultural biological therapy, continuously providing novel antibiotic-alternative solutions for the livestock and aquaculture industry. Yikai Capital has a deep understanding of the fundamental needs and long-term logic underlying the development of agri-tech enterprises, and will continue to leverage its advantages in industrial resources and capital partnerships to support the company’s long-term growth.”