Luzhu Bio Completes Series C Financing to Advance Innovative Vaccine Pipeline Including Shingles Candidate LZ901

VCBeat has learned that Beijing-based innovative vaccine company LUZHU BIOTECH recently completed its Series C financing round. Investors included several institutions such as the Huapu Haihe Biopharmaceutical Fund, the Yizhuang Biopharmaceutical Fund, and CITIC Bank Zhenhua. According to Tianyancha, the limited partners (LPs) of the Huapu Haihe Biopharmaceutical Fund include not only the Haihe Industrial Fund but also Ringpu Biology Technology Co., Ltd., an A-share listed company.

According to the official website, LUZHU BIOTECH boasts a robust R&D pipeline. In addition to monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, the company has several vaccine products, including the herpes zoster vaccine LZ901. A search on the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) website reveals that LUZHU BIOTECH’s recombinant herpes zoster vaccine LZ901 has currently entered Phase II clinical trials.

It is reported that Shingrix, developed by GSK, is currently the only shingles vaccine available on the market. According to GSK’s latest quarterly report, revenue grew by 32% in the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 2022). The shingles vaccine Shingrix set a new record, achieving sales revenue of £698 million in Q1 2022, a year-on-year increase of over 100%, thereby breaking the previous quarterly sales record. This growth was primarily driven by rapidly increasing demand in the U.S. and European markets, as well as secured production capacity enabling supply to 19 countries. Shingrix reached its peak sales of £1.989 billion in 2020. Sales are expected to continue breaking records in 2022. GSK projects that Shingrix’s sales revenue in 2026 will double compared to current levels, potentially exceeding £4 billion.

LUZHU BIOTECH Completes This Round of Financing, Which Will Help the Company Systematically Advance the Clinical Progress of Its R&D Pipeline and Further Enrich Its R&D Portfolio.