Youwei Bio Completes Nearly RMB 100 Million Series B Financing to Accelerate Commercialization of Soluble Microneedle Drug Delivery Technology Across Multiple Sectors

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) has learned that Youwei Micro, a company specializing in soluble microneedle drug delivery technology, recently completed a B-round financing of nearly RMB 100 million. The round was exclusively invested by Cenova Capital, with Taihe Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor. The proceeds will be used to advance the commercialization of soluble microneedle technology in the consumer sector, expand business operations in the medical field, and build production capacity, thereby supporting the company’s continued rapid growth.

Youwei Microbiology is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in transdermal drug delivery via soluble microneedles. Leveraging its proprietary third-generation soluble microneedle patent technology, the “High-Pressure Jet Filling Process,” the company achieves simultaneous and rapid filling of multi-matrix micro-nano structures. Combined with material modification of proprietary molds to enable low-temperature rapid curing and shaping, this approach overcomes the limitations of conventional production technologies that use high-temperature curing, which can compromise drug activity. Through equipment development based on these patented technologies, fully automated production has been realized. By flexibly switching among point, line, and area multi-trajectory filling methods, the company ensures stable mass production of both integrated-base, high-drug-loading patches and segmented-tip, precisely dosed drug-loaded patches. This resolves technical challenges related to dosage and administration precision in practical applications, thereby promoting broader commercial adoption of soluble microneedles in the consumer health and medical sectors.

Youwei Biotechnology employs soluble microneedle transdermal delivery technology to one-step cryo-solidify active ingredients into micron-sized crystalline structures. Tailored to specific product designs and requirements, these active ingredients penetrate the stratum corneum in a solid-state, preservative-free, and highly active form, ensuring their safe and effective transport to the epidermis for efficient transdermal absorption. The application of soluble microneedles promises disruptive advancements in the fields of minimally invasive aesthetic medicine and functional skincare, offering novel solutions to the dual challenges of achieving effective absorption—particularly for macromolecules—and maintaining skincare safety.

Youwei Biotechnology has established a dedicated product division to serve as a technology platform driven by core innovation, focusing on the development of skincare products featuring soluble microneedles. The company currently offers mature formulations and product solutions across multiple series, including anti-aging, hyperpigmentation reduction, and acne and mark treatment. This positions soluble microneedles as a new generation of at-home tech-enabled skincare, providing consumers with safer, more effective skincare products and experiences that can be used in the comfort of their homes. Meanwhile, the company continues its R&D efforts and plans to further expand its soluble microneedle products and comprehensive solutions for use in professional medical aesthetic clinics. Currently, Youwei has entered into custom product development partnerships with several well-known domestic skincare brands, making it the company with the highest number of registered soluble microneedle products in China.

Leveraging its profound understanding of soluble microneedle process technology, Youwei Micro has established a mature pharmaceutical research system for soluble microneedles. By addressing critical industry pain points, the company provides comprehensive, professional, and rigorously quality-assured CRO+CDMO services for soluble microneedle-based drugs and medical devices. In early 2022, Youwei Micro established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Zhuhai Keruiwei Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., dedicated to CRO+CDMO services for soluble microneedle drugs and medical devices. The subsidiary is currently constructing GMP-compliant facilities, R&D and QC laboratories, and an aseptic production line for soluble microneedle formulations. Currently, the company is collaborating with numerous renowned pharmaceutical enterprises both domestically and internationally to develop innovative soluble microneedle dosage forms for various drugs. Its pipeline includes traditional Chinese medicine extracts and multiple macromolecular drugs, such as peptide therapeutics, protein-based drugs, and recombinant protein vaccines, with broad applications in central nervous system disease treatment, pain management, hormonal and metabolic disorder therapy, and vaccination.

The company has been granted more than 30 patents. Since its establishment, it has received numerous qualifications and honors, including the National Gold Award at the First China Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the Outstanding Project Award at the China Disruptive Technology Innovation Competition, first place in the biomedical sector of the China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Guangdong Province), and recognition as a Zhuhai Unicorn Seed Enterprise.

For this round of financing,Dr. Leng Gang, Founder of Youwei Biotechstated: “As a ‘voice’ and ‘evangelist’ in the emerging field of soluble microneedles, Youwei Micro has been committed to promoting the commercialization of products utilizing soluble microneedle technology, as well as the establishment of industry standards and regulations. In recent years, the company has recruited numerous PhDs and postdoctoral researchers from China, the United States, and South Korea, and has continuously increased its investment in technological R&D. Looking ahead, Youwei Micro aims to continue attracting talent in commercialization, product development, and R&D, thereby sustaining its foundational innovation capabilities in soluble microneedle technology. The company seeks to accelerate the broader application of this technology in the general health and pharmaceutical sectors, jointly pioneer new frontiers for transdermal drug delivery applications of soluble microneedles in China, and ascend to the global forefront.”

Cenova CapitalShen Xiaoyin, Managing Director of Cenova Capitalstated: “As the latest generation of transdermal drug delivery technology, soluble microneedles achieve an excellent balance between delivery efficiency and patient compliance, offering broad application prospects in skincare, medical aesthetics, and pharmaceuticals. The founding team of Youwei (Zhuhai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has extensive expertise in the R&D of foundational soluble microneedle technologies and scalable manufacturing processes. The company’s independently developed third-generation production process demonstrates significant advantages over its predecessors. Committed to continuous iterative innovation, it meets the demands of diverse application scenarios and drug-loading efficiencies, gradually earning recognition from core enterprises across various sectors. We look forward to seeing the company’s soluble microneedle technology shine brightly in all fields.”

Liu Zeyuan, Director of Taihe Capitalstated: “As a next-generation transdermal drug delivery technology, Youwei Biotech boasts R&D expertise and production process know-how at an internationally advanced level. It is one of the few technology-driven enterprises in China with independent R&D capabilities and a comprehensive patent portfolio, enabling its technologies to catch up with and surpass those in developed markets. The application of dissolving microneedles will continue to disrupt broad markets, including pharmacotherapy for various diseases, minimally invasive medical aesthetics, and functional skincare. We look forward to Youwei Biotech evolving into an ecosystem-level enterprise integrating ‘R&D + mass production + branding’ as commercialization advances.”

Huang Ying, Senior Investment Manager at Taihe Capitalstated: “In recent years, many enterprises worldwide have been exploring the commercialization of dissolvable microneedles across various niche applications. The founding team of Youwei (Zhuhai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. possesses comprehensive academic research and industrial experience, along with a product-oriented mindset focused on refining designs to closely meet user needs. By identifying the optimal balance among technology, product performance, and cost, and with the support of both existing and new shareholders, the company is poised to accelerate its transition into a new chapter of platform-based development.”