EH Bio Completes Tens of Millions RMB Series A+ Financing to Build a Globally Leading Exosome Technology Platform for Original R&D and Clinical Translation

VCBeat recently learned that Carrier Biomed (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (“Carrier Biomed”) has completedA+ Round Financing of Tens of Millions of Yuan, this round of financingby existing shareholders Qingnuo Capital, Tianjin Qingzhi, etc., and new shareholdersSuzhou Industrial Park Science and Technology Innovation Investment Partnership (Sci-Tech Innovation Fund),QingzhiCapital (Tsinghua University Institute for Intelligent Industry Fund), Ruijiang Kangsheng (Kindstar Global Group Industrial Fund)Joint Investment. To date, Carrier Biomed has cumulatively secured over RMB 100 million in financing support,To advance the company’s pipeline R&D and build its technology platform, with a commitment to becoming an international leader in original exosome technology research and development and clinical translation.。

In May 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the “14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomy Development,” which explicitly stated, “Focusing on accelerating the approval and marketing of innovative drugs and strengthening post-marketing supervision,Establishment of a Quality and Safety Evaluation Technology Platform for Exosome-Based Therapeutic Products。”This marks the first time exosomes have been included in a national development plan, underscoring their unprecedented significance in the medical field. In terms of clinical applications, exosomes hold immense potential as drug delivery vehicles, therapeutic agents for disease treatment, or novel diagnostic biomarkers.

Carrier Biomed was established through the restructuring of two leading companies in China’s exosome industry—Jiangsu Beigeer Pharmaceutical and Shanghai Yiwei Biopharmaceutical. In October 2022, it was introduced to Suzhou with support from the Suzhou Industrial Park’s “case-by-case” key project initiative. The company is located in the Artificial Intelligence Industrial Park within the Suzhou Industrial Park, adjacent to Jinji Lake. It possesses an independently developed, proprietary exosome isolation platform and multiple product pipelines based on large-scale, multi-center clinical studies involving thousands of cases, includingEarly Blood-Based Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Early Tumor Diagnosis, and Dynamic Monitoring in Advanced Stages. The company’s team and advisory board comprise multiple top experts from the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles, leading domestic and international specialists in neurology and clinical oncology, and seasoned professionals with extensive experience in industrialization. It possesses internationally advanced exosome R&D capabilities and a Grade 100 cleanroom facility for exosome production.

Carrier Biomed has partnered with multiple top-tier hospitals and academic medical institutions in China, completing clinical studies on early blood-based diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease in over 1,000 cases, as well as dynamic follow-up studies on early cancer diagnosis and treatment in over 1,000 cases.。In the future, Carrier Biomed will continue to adhere to a clinical value-oriented approach, focusing on early exosome-based diagnosis for various diseases and pioneering the development of exosome technologies for precision diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, thereby benefiting more patients in need.

Founding Scientist of Carrier Biomed, Founding Member of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV),Tsinghua UniversityAcademic Committee MemberProfessor Yin HangStatement: We extend our gratitude to the Suzhou Industrial Park and both new and existing investors for their recognition, continued empowerment, and strong support of Carrier Biomed amid the current challenging market environment. As the saying goes, “Only after sifting through thousands of grains of sand does one finally find the gold.” The Carrier Biomed team is confident that, by leveraging our unique innovative technologies and addressing clinical needs, we will drive the development of the exosome-based diagnostic screening industry. We believe that every instance of perseverance will be rewarded; after the hardships of wind, rain, ice, and frost, spring warmth and blooming flowers are sure to follow.

Dr. Li Zhentao, Co-founder and CEO of Carrier BiomedIt stated: “As a leading enterprise in the field of exosomes both domestically and internationally, the Company will continue to advance the research and development of multiple original technologies and launch innovative products that meet urgent clinical needs at an early date, so as to reward the trust of its partners.”

In recent years, Suzhou Industrial Park has consistently prioritized the biopharmaceutical industry as its “No. 1 Industry” for future development, striving to build a world-class biopharmaceutical hub. It has already formed industrial clusters in innovative drug R&D, high-end medical devices, and biotechnology, becoming one of the most advanced and competitive specialized biopharmaceutical parks in China. Currently, the park is advancing toward the goal of establishing a world-class high-tech zone by cultivating the best innovation ecosystem, the strongest industrial ecosystem, and the most business-friendly environment, thereby safeguarding and supporting the growth and expansion of biopharmaceutical enterprises.

Chen Lian, Deputy General Manager of Suzhou Industrial Park Leading Venture CapitalIndicateBiomedicine is a key industry prioritized for support and development in the Suzhou Industrial Park, with exosomes representing a highly promising frontier. Led by Professor Yin Hang from Tsinghua University, an international expert in exosome research, and Dr. Li Zhentao, an expert in the exosome industry, Carrier Biomed has assembled top-tier talent in related fields across China. With years of dedicated focus in this area, the company possesses both the globally first-in-class MARCKS-ED peptide membrane curvature probe for exosome capture and exclusively licensed technologies for blood-based early diagnostic exosome biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, which have been validated through years of clinical practice. We are confident that Carrier Biomed will continue to deepen its exploration in the early diagnosis and screening of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, drive the advancement of exosome technology within the Park, and emerge as a global leader in the exosome industry.

Xiang Chao, Partner of Ruijiang Kangsheng FundStatement: We are delighted to invest in Carrier Biomed. Partnering with exceptional founders has always been our guiding principle. We are highly optimistic about the exosome testing sector targeted by Carrier Biomed. Its key products under development for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases and tumors demonstrate the team’s profound understanding and strategic insight into the exosome industry. These solutions are not only highly valuable and practical for implementation but also offer substantial market potential, while tangibly improving public well-being.

Zhang Yu, Managing Partner at Qingzhi CapitalIt is indicated that the exosome detection sector boasts broad market prospects, while the industrialization and clinical application of exosomes in China still face numerous technical challenges. The founding team of Carrier Biomed comprises international experts in the field of exosomes and clinicians, possessing extensive experience in the commercial translation of medical devices and owning a globally leading exosome detection technology platform for neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we are optimistic about the future development of Carrier Biomed. Following our investment in Carrier Biomed, we will actively empower the company by leveraging the industry-academia-research advantages of AIR and Qingzhi Capital in the AI field, thereby fostering the robust growth of innovative pharmaceutical enterprises.

Qingnuo CapitalManaging Partner Zhang PeiheCarrier Biomed’s team possesses profound scientific research expertise and extensive industrialization experience. Leveraging its proprietary platform technologies with high technical barriers, the company has collaborated with multiple top-tier hospitals and academic medical institutions in China to complete numerous investigator-initiated clinical studies. These include over 500 cases in Alzheimer’s disease, more than 700 cases in Parkinson’s disease, and early diagnostic studies involving over 1,000 samples across various fields of early tumor diagnosis. As an investment platform dedicated to early-stage deep-tech ventures, Qingnuo Capital has consistently invested in and maintained a positive outlook on Carrier Biomed since its inception. Following its restructuring and relocation of headquarters to Suzhou Industrial Park this year, Carrier Biomed has demonstrated sustained innovation characteristic of an industry leader and strong team execution in honoring commitments, entering a new phase of scaled development. Therefore, we continue to support Carrier Biomed in its Series A+ financing round.

Leading Venture CapitalEstablished in December 2012 and wholly owned by the Suzhou Industrial Park Enterprise Development Service Center, the company has a registered capital of RMB 367.5 million. Its managed funds include the SIP Science and Technology Innovation Fund and the Lingjun Yuanrui Fintech Fund, with total assets under management reaching RMB 2 billion. As the largest policy-oriented angel investment institution in Suzhou Industrial Park, it has played an active role in supporting the park’s efforts to attract high-end talent, accelerate corporate growth, and foster a technological innovation ecosystem.

Sci-Tech Innovation FundJointly established with the Finance and Audit Bureau of Suzhou Industrial Park as the Limited Partner (LP) and Lingjun Venture Capital as the General Partner (GP). The fund’s first phase has a total size of RMB 1.5 billion, focusing on key strategic emerging industries such as biopharmaceuticals, nanotechnology applications, and artificial intelligence. It adopts a combined approach of direct investment and grant-linked investment to support technology-driven and innovative enterprises within the park in scaling up, enhancing quality, and strengthening competitiveness.

Kangsheng GlobalFounded in 2003, it is China’s first and leading independent provider of specialized clinical laboratory services and a publicly listed company. Currently, Kindstar Global has established a dominant position in China’s independent hematology specialized clinical testing industry, offering one of the most comprehensive hematology testing portfolios globally. It provides extensive testing services to over 3,000 hospitals, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies, delivering a wide range of test items and customized, high-quality specialized tests in a cost-effective manner. This supports physicians in optimizing diagnoses, thereby enabling the selection of personalized treatment plans for patients.

Ruijiang KangshengEstablished in 2012 and headquartered in Wuhan, the company maintains branches and teams in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hong Kong. Its corporate vision is to meet people’s aspirations for a better life through high-quality financial services and products. Its core business encompasses equity investment funds and industrial investment funds. Discovering and creating value while partnering with outstanding entrepreneurs has always been our guiding philosophy.The company’s founder is a graduate of the University of Chicago. Its management and investment teams comprise seasoned investment professionals with a global perspective. The growth-stage equity investment fund focuses on the healthcare and hard-tech sectors. The firm currently manages seven equity investment funds, with past limited partners (LPs) including funds of funds and family offices.

Institute for AI Industry Research, Tsinghua University(The Institute for AI Industry Research, Tsinghua University, abbreviated as AIR) was founded in 2020 by Academician Zhang Yaqin, a world-renowned scientist and entrepreneur in the fields of multimedia and artificial intelligence. It is an international, intelligent, and industry-oriented applied research institution dedicated to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with a mission to leverage artificial intelligence technologies to empower industrial upgrading and promote social progress. Its main research areas include AI+Transportation, AI+IoT (Internet of Things), and AI+Healthcare.

Qingzhi CapitalA private equity fund management company established with the support of Tsinghua University, it leverages the technological R&D expertise of Tsinghua University’s Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) to provide financial backing for its collaborative and incubated projects. By employing market-oriented mechanisms, the company facilitates the commercialization of AIR’s scientific achievements and explores integrated models of industry-academia collaboration. The fund is positioned at the early-to-growth stages, focusing on investments in high-tech AI sectors.