Zhonghe Gene Secures Tens of Millions in Angel Funding to Accelerate Development of Desktop Kb-Scale Gene Synthesizer

VCBeat has learned that recently,Tianjin Zhonghe Gene Technology Co., Ltd.(abbreviated as “ZHONGHE GENE”) announced the completion ofTens of Millions in Angel Round FinancingThis funding round was led by the CAS Haihe Fund of Funds, a synthetic biology-themed fund of funds under the Tianjin Haihe Industrial Guidance Fund, and the Tianjin Special Fund for High-Growth Early-Stage Technology Enterprises. The proceeds will be used to accelerate the development of an integrated desktop Kb-scale gene synthesizer.

In January 2022, ZHONGHE GENE was established in Tianjin, committed to becoming a pioneer in the core underlying technologies of synthetic biology, a provider of platform-based DNA/RNA synthesis services, and a supplier of desktop gene synthesizers. Dr. Jiang Huifeng, a researcher at the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology), is the company’s founder and Chief Scientist. The intellectual property rights for the “enzymatic DNA synthesis technology” developed by his team have been transferred from the Institute to ZHONGHE GENE. Building on this foundation, ZHONGHE GENE has successfully developed an oligo biosynthesizer and a one-stop DNA assembly instrument. Moving forward, the company will integrate technical systems such as DNA chip fabrication, equipment automation, and high-efficiency assembly and error correction to develop an integrated, desktop, kilobase (Kb)-scale gene synthesizer that features low synthesis costs, short turnaround times, and accessibility for all biological laboratories, thereby driving the rapid development of synthetic biology through breakthroughs in underlying technologies.

DNA synthesis technology is the core foundational technology for synthetic biology and even life science research. However, existing chemical methods suffer from limitations such as short synthesis lengths and high costs. It is widely recognized within the industry that biological synthesis methods, which break away from current systems and explore new approaches, represent the optimal solution. Currently, international research and development of DNA biosynthesis technologies and equipment have reached a critical stage, with foreign companies such as Twist Bioscience and DNA Script vigorously advancing their technological R&D efforts. As one of the few companies globally possessing core DNA biosynthesis technologies, ZHONGHE GENE has established an R&D system characterized by multidisciplinary integration and comprising core experts from various fields. Its strategically deployed integrated, desktop-scale, kilobase (Kb)-level gene synthesizer is poised to surpass advanced international standards, pioneer the untapped market for direct gene synthesis, and leverage its core technologies to drive the rapid development of China’s synthetic biology industry.

Wang Jinhong, Chairman of Haihe Industry Fund Management Co., Ltd.Statement: The biopharmaceutical industry is a key sector prioritized for support and development by Tianjin Municipality, with synthetic biology representing a highly promising frontier. As the municipal government’s guidance fund, the Haihe Industry Fund bears the political mandate to foster high-tech innovative enterprises. ZHONGHE GENE has deeply cultivated the field of DNA biosynthesis, assembling top-tier talent from the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other leading domestic experts in related fields. Possessing independently developed intellectual property rights and internationally leading core technologies in DNA biosynthesis, the company has successfully developed short-chain DNA biosynthesizers and long-chain gene assembly instruments. We remain optimistic about and consistently support ZHONGHE GENE’s sustained growth in the DNA biosynthesis sector, anticipating the early launch of its desktop-scale Kb-level gene synthesizer and its emergence as a leading enterprise in the global and domestic DNA synthesis industry.

The Haihe Industry Fund is a key initiative undertaken by the Tianjin Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government to implement the functional positioning of Tianjin as an “Advanced Manufacturing and R&D Base,” one of the “One Base and Three Zones” designated by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. As of the end of 2022, the Haihe Industry Fund had established and was operating 53 fund-of-funds, with a paid-in capital scale of RMB 62.4 billion. Through investment-driven strategies, it facilitated 253 reinvestment projects in Tianjin, with actual project investments totaling RMB 143.2 billion. The fund ranked third on Zero2IPO’s “2022 Top 50 Government Guidance Funds” list, a prestigious ranking by an authoritative institution. Focusing on expanding and strengthening advanced manufacturing, the Haihe Industry Fund aims to optimize and enhance a group of pillar industries while effectively cultivating and developing a batch of strategic emerging industries. It prioritizes investments in sectors such as next-generation artificial intelligence, biopharmaceuticals and healthcare, new energy, and new materials, thereby promoting technological R&D and innovation, facilitating industrial transformation and upgrading, improving quality and efficiency, and accelerating the development of a national advanced manufacturing and R&D base characterized by strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities, high-end industrial structure, and significant radiating and driving effects.

Tianjin High-Growth Early-Stage Technology Enterprise Fund is a special-purpose investment fund established by the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government to support the development of high-growth early-stage technology enterprises, guide outstanding teams in innovation and entrepreneurship, and foster the robust growth of more promising companies. The fund focuses on cultivating new growth drivers and establishing and improving a support mechanism for high-growth early-stage technology enterprises characterized by “risk sharing and concessional exit,” thereby exploring new paradigms for innovative sci-tech financial services.