WestGene Biopharma Secures Series A Funding and Advances Four mRNA Candidates into Clinical Trials

VCBeat has learned that Chengdu Wisegen Biopharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Wisegen Bio”), as one of the few high-tech enterprises specializing in mRNA technology in China, has made key breakthroughs in critical technologies previously subject to foreign restrictions. The company possesses core proprietary intellectual property, strategic thinking for a closed-loop commercial model, and a comprehensive translation platform, with its series of prominent advantages steadily rising in the biopharmaceutical sector. Wisegen Bio has successively obtainedWenjiang Emerging Industry Investment, Tigermed, Yingke Fund, Huaxin Asset, Manseisand other investors, totaling150 million yuaninvestment.

Leveraging comprehensive breakthroughs in multiple core proprietary underlying technologies and the support of capital, WisGene Bio has independently developed four candidates that have entered clinical trials both domestically and internationally, including:mRNA therapeutics for EBV-associated tumors (such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma), mRNA therapeutics for liver cancer, mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants, and novel adjuvants.

As an innovator in mRNA technology, Weisijin Biotech has achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in the core technologies underlying mRNA drug development and holds independent intellectual property rights. It is a global biopharmaceutical company integrating the research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization of mRNA therapeutics.WestGene Biologics was founded in July 2021 by a team of academicians from West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Co-founder Professor Song Xiangrong previously conducted mRNA drug-related research at Harvard Medical School and has been deeply engaged in the development of targeted delivery-based mRNA therapeutics for nearly a decade. Leveraging the platform of the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, the company has assembled a multidisciplinary team of experts specializing in biology, immunology, computer-aided drug design, nanomedicine, bioinformatics, pharmacology and toxicology, and clinical medicine.

Weisijin Bio has established a key technology platform for mRNA drugs and built a comprehensive patent system. The company has broken through global patent barriers in two core technical areas—mRNA sequences and non-viral delivery vectors—thereby securing complete independent intellectual property rights. It has filed multiple patents both domestically and internationally, including:

(1) A novel 5’-UTR sequence was generated through machine learning;

(2) AI-optimized design to obtain novel lipid excipients with new structures (including ionizable lipids, etc.);

(3) Developed various novel formulations (anionic nanoparticles, LNPs, etc.);

(4) Mathematical methods were used to optimize new formulations, breaking through patent barriers established by foreign entities for LNP technology.

Weizhen Biologics has advanced multiple mRNA pipelines toward industrial application, with four candidates entering clinical trials: an mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants, an mRNA therapeutic for EBV-associated tumors, an mRNA therapeutic for liver cancer, and the novel adjuvant WGa01.Weisijin Bio’s mRNA technology achieved its first successful industrial-scale validation during the development of COVID-19 vaccines, prominently demonstrating its unique advantages of strong protein expression, favorable safety profile, and short R&D cycle.

In terms of application areas, in addition to its preventive vaccine pipeline, Weisijin Biopharma has reserved more than 20 product pipelines, including therapeutic cancer vaccines, anti-aging drugs, anti-obesity drugs, gene-editing therapies for rare/genetic diseases, mRNA drugs encoding antibodies, and novel adjuvants, thereby strategically positioning itself to capture the mRNA technology sector. The successful development of the WGa01 novel adjuvant has broken the century-long monopoly of aluminum adjuvants in China, inducing neutralizing antibody levels 10–100 times higher than those induced by traditional aluminum adjuvants.

Weisijin Biologics has established a clear strategic direction and business logic. As a global biopharmaceutical company integrating mRNA drug R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization, it has implemented a worldwide footprint. While actively seeking government policy support, the company is diligently building a biopharmaceutical ecosystem and an upstream-downstream industrial chain with itself as the “chain leader” enterprise.

WesGene Biotech is implementing four major strategies to rapidly expand its mRNA and adjuvant markets, including: self-operated model, out-licensing, in-licensing, and equity cooperation. In terms of domestic industrial layout, WesGene Biotech has established an advanced production facility in Chengdu with an annual capacity of 100 million doses of mRNA drugs. Additionally, the company plans to establish comprehensive strategic development bases integrating R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, in collaboration with local governments and partners.

In terms of international industrial layout, clinical trials for mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants and strategic innovation cooperation models are being implemented in countries such as Japan, Mexico, and the Philippines. Weijin Biologics provides innovative mRNA technology, while overseas joint ventures offer local resource integration support. Together, they are establishing vaccine production bases to create an integrated international model encompassing joint R&D, local manufacturing, and commercialization.

Meanwhile, leveraging comprehensive breakthroughs in key mRNA technologies and a robust product pipeline, Weijin Bio has entered advanced discussions with multiple multinational corporations (MNCs), positioning itself for potential license-out of core patented technologies to these MNCs. Several pipeline candidates are also under negotiation for collaborative development with leading domestic pharmaceutical companies. The company is poised to establish an equity partnership with a renowned Chinese pharmaceutical firm to create a joint venture subsidiary dedicated to the R&D of mRNA therapeutics for rare and genetic diseases. Additionally, Weijin Bio will form an equity alliance with a listed animal vaccine manufacturer in China, combining strengths to establish a joint venture subsidiary focused on the R&D of mRNA vaccines for veterinary use.

“The future of medicine is mRNA; basically, you can use mRNA to cure everything,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated in an interview with Business Insider. “mRNA is like a computer program that you can code to perform any desired function.” According to projections by the U.S.-based market research firm BCC Research, the global market size for mRNA-based pharmaceuticals was valued at $46.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass $100 billion by 2026. Leveraging capital support, breakthrough core technologies, and a forward-looking, innovative product portfolio, Wisen Biologics has achieved a “late-mover advantage” in the mRNA sector, rapidly emerging as an internationally competitive innovator in mRNA therapeutics and securing a leading position in the industry.

Weizhen Biotech welcomes extensive collaboration with the investment and pharmaceutical industries to jointly enhance the global influence of China’s mRNA technology.