ChomiX Biotech Completes Tens of Millions RMB Pre-A Financing to Advance Innovative Drug Discovery

Recently, VCBeat learned that ChomiX Biotech (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. (“ChomiX Biotech”) announced the completion of its pre-A financing round, raising tens of millions of yuan. The funds will be used to improve the company’s hardware platform and strengthen team capabilities, accelerating the establishment of an innovative drug lead compound screening platform. This round was led by Huatai Guoxin Fund, under Huatai Zijin, with participation from Shuimu Linghang Fund, under Beijing Tsinghua Industrial R&D Institute, and Nanjing Jiangbei Science and Technology Investment Group.

ChomiX Biotech Co., Ltd. was registered and established in March 2021, received angel-round investment from Eagle Alliance Capital in June, and officially commenced operations in July. In January 2022, the company secured strategic investment amounting to several million RMB from Nanjing Pharmablock Technologies Co., Ltd. In June, it moved into a 1,700-square-meter R&D base at Phase II of the Biovalley Accelerator in Nanjing Jiangbei New Area. As one of the first biotechnology enterprises in China dedicated to the interdisciplinary field of chemical biology, the company focuses on the research and development of innovative small-molecule drugs, leveraging chemoproteomics technology as its core competency for drug target discovery and screening of targeted lead compounds.

Chemical proteomics technology based on high-resolution mass spectrometry enables the isolation and enrichment of protein targets specifically bound by chemical probes through incubation with live cells or tissues. Chemical probes include molecules derived from known drugs, natural products, metabolically active molecules, and drug-like compounds, which are modified to possess similar properties and bioorthogonal reactive groups, as well as molecules that react specifically with amino acid residues (e.g., cysteine, lysine). This technique for drug target discovery and lead compound screening, conducted directly in physiological environments, eliminates the need for protein purification. By leveraging mass spectrometry to simultaneously analyze the interactions between drugs and tens of thousands of proteins within cells, it provides more authentic drug-target data, facilitates the identification of additional druggable targets, and supplies a substantial volume of high-quality data for computer-aided drug design.

This technology effectively circumvents the challenges currently faced in small-molecule drug discovery, including difficulties in purifying protein targets, loss of activity due to structural degradation or loss of cofactors after purification, and the difficulty in identifying potential off-targets. Meanwhile, it enables the discovery of unknown functional pockets on protein surfaces and provides hit compounds with high affinity and specificity for these potential protein targets, thereby offering solutions for undruggable targets. As this technological platform matures, international pharmaceutical giants such as Novartis, Pfizer, and Bayer have increasingly applied chemical proteomics to new drug development in recent years, significantly enhancing the efficiency of small-molecule drug R&D and substantially mitigating off-target risks.

After more than two decades of academic accumulation, the field of chemical proteomics is playing an increasingly important role in drug discovery and development. Taking the pioneering U.S. company Vividion Therapeutics as an example, the company leveraged chemical proteomics technology to identify multiple “first-in-class” drug lead compounds, which were advanced as its core pipeline assets; several of these are currently in the pre-IND stage. In 2021, prior to its IPO, Vividion was acquired by Bayer for $2 billion, comprising a $1.5 billion upfront payment and $500 million in milestone payments. Due to the interdisciplinary, cutting-edge, and evolving nature of this technology, only a handful of companies worldwide are capable of utilizing chemical proteomics for novel drug screening and development. As one of the first enterprises in China dedicated to the industrial development and application of chemical proteomics technology, ChomiX Biotech’s core team has focused on refining this technology platform for over ten years and has established comprehensive capabilities across both dry-lab (computational) and wet-lab (experimental) platforms, striving to fully apply this technology to the field of small-molecule drug discovery.

ChomiX Biotech’s core business focuses on two main areas. First, it specializes in the discovery of innovative drug lead compounds and the development of Preclinical Candidates (PCCs). Leveraging its proprietary DIA-ABPP technology platform, the company screens corresponding covalent lead compounds against target proteins of interest and compound libraries, followed by structural optimization to obtain PCCs. Second, it is dedicated to innovative drug target discovery. Using its established target discovery platform, ChomiX Biotech elucidates the molecular mechanisms of drug molecules and addresses the challenge of identifying off-target proteins of small-molecule drugs in living cells, thereby providing biosafety evaluations for small-molecule therapeutics. Since commencing formal operations, the company has established long-term collaborations with over 40 university research institutions and numerous new drug R&D enterprises. By applying chemical proteomics technologies, ChomiX Biotech offers enhanced solutions for targeting “undruggable” proteins.

Headquartered in China with a global vision, ChomiX Biotech strives to build a one-stop technical platform for target discovery and lead compound screening. It provides comprehensive drug-related information, including drug target analysis, structural optimization, and safety evaluation. By integrating data to empower AI-assisted drug design, the company shortens the R&D cycle for innovative drugs, meets market demand for novel drug targets and structures, and offers more possibilities for curing diseases.

ChomiX Biotech has assembled a team of seven internationally renowned scientists in the field of chemical biology as academic advisors, led by Professor Guo Zijian from Nanjing University, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The team includes Professors Wang Chu, Chen Peng, and Chen Xing from Peking University, as well as Professors Zhao Jin, Li Jie, and Xie Ran from Nanjing University. One of the academic advisors, Professor Wang Chu of Peking University, studied under Benjamin Cravatt, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a pioneer in the field of chemoproteomics, and the founder of Vividion Therapeutics. During his time at the Cravatt Lab, Professor Wang developed the competitive iso-TOP Activity-Based Protein Profiling (ABPP) technology, laying the methodological foundation for covalent drug screening. After returning to Peking University in 2013 to establish his own laboratory, he further enhanced and optimized this technology. As one of Professor Wang’s first doctoral students, ChomiX Biotech’s founder, Chen Nan, worked with Professor Wang to gradually establish this technology platform in China and participated in its improvement. After completing his Ph.D., Chen Nan went to Rockefeller University in the United States for work and study, where he leveraged this technology to collaborate with companies such as Bayer and Dewpointx on drug target discovery projects. Through these collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, he gained a deeper understanding of the significant role this technology plays in accelerating drug discovery. Determined to contribute to the industry, he returned to China to found ChomiX Biotech, promoting the industrial application of chemoproteomics technology in new drug development and contributing to the creation of more “first-in-class” drugs originating from China.

Embracing the Grand and Mastering the Minute: ChomiX Biotech establishes itself by “embracing the grand,” tackling the most cutting-edge frontiers of innovative drug development; it begins by “mastering the minute,” leveraging its inherent strengths to steadily enhance technical capabilities and empower new drug R&D.

Dr. Nan Chen, Founder of ChomiX BiotechChomiX Biotech stated that its establishment and development have received support and assistance from various sectors. The company expressed gratitude to the investors in this funding round for their recognition and support, thanked Nanjing Jiangbei New Area Bio-medicine Valley and Jiangsu Nanchuang Research Institute for providing resources, facilities, and assistance during its initial phase, and acknowledged shareholders and partners such as Pharmablock Sciences and Eagle Alliance Capital for their continued trust and companionship. Small-molecule chemical drugs remain a prominent focus in new drug research and development (R&D), with many innovative technologies driving progress in this field, such as DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening technology and AI-assisted drug development. Distinct from numerous in vitro drug R&D strategies, chemoproteomics utilizes active small-molecule chemical probes combined with high-throughput proteomic analysis methods to directly enable novel drug target discovery and screening of targeted lead compounds in live cells or diseased tissues. Currently, this technology is gaining momentum in the global new drug R&D industry, with its value becoming increasingly prominent. ChomiX Biotech has assembled a team of top scientific advisors from Peking University and Nanjing University, who were among the earliest in China to engage in chemoproteomics research. Leveraging its strengths, the company aims to promote the application of this technology in China’s new drug R&D sector, contributing to the new era of domestic biopharmaceutical industry development.

Dr. Chen Miao, Partner at Huatai Zijin Health FundIt stated that ChomiX Biotech is one of the few companies in China currently dedicated to leveraging chemical proteomics to drive target identification and drug discovery. The company’s founding and advisory teams have deep expertise in chemical biology, with extensive experience in chemical proteomics, protein labeling, drug screening, design, and development. ChomiX has served numerous small-molecule new drug R&D enterprises as well as research groups at universities and institutes, covering areas such as covalent inhibitors and PROTAC drugs. Furthermore, the company’s drug screening platform for “undruggable” targets has achieved phased progress, demonstrating significant growth potential and positioning ChomiX to become a leading enterprise in the field of chemical proteomics in China.

Yan Yi, Managing Director of Shuimu Venture CapitalIt was stated that chemical proteomics, as an emerging protein research approach over the past two decades, possesses irreplaceable technical advantages in several key stages of new drug development, including target discovery, lead compound screening, and validation of drug off-target effects. The team at ChomiX Biotech has accumulated over ten years of research experience on this technology platform, with substantial technical expertise and practical knowledge in areas such as molecular probe design, omics technology development, and target affinity prediction. As a strategic investment by Shuimu Venture Capital in the proteomics industry chain, we look forward to ChomiX Biotech growing into a leading enterprise in the field of chemical proteomics under the leadership of Dr. Chen Nan, thereby contributing to the global development of innovative drugs.

Zhu Zhi'ang, Deputy General Manager (Presiding over Operations) of Jiangbei Sci-Tech Investment GroupChomiX Biotech is the first biotechnology enterprise in China to be established at the intersection of chemical biology. The company is progressively building a cutting-edge chemical proteomics technology platform capable of addressing key challenges in drug research for pharmaceutical companies, including drug target identification, assessment of drug toxicity and side effects, and mechanism elucidation. As a state-owned investment platform dedicated to supporting technology enterprises with independent innovation and R&D capabilities, we are honored to partner with ChomiX Biotech. As an upstream enterprise in the new district’s biomedical industry chain, ChomiX Biotech leverages and integrates the scale advantages and regional influence of the New District’s Biomedical Public Service Platform—Mass Spectrometry Detection and Analysis Center—in traditional proteomics technologies. This synergy facilitates high-quality and efficient integration and innovation of chemical proteomics technologies within the industry. We eagerly anticipate ChomiX Biotech’s robust growth within the new district’s innovative industrial ecosystem and its creation of greater market value in the future.

Huatai Zijin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huatai Securities (601688.SH) engaged in private equity investment. Leveraging the full-business-chain advantages of Huatai Securities and adhering to the investment philosophy of “growing together with entrepreneurs,” the company provides comprehensive capital services to partners by drawing on its extensive financial and industrial resources. With a registered capital of RMB 6 billion and assets under management exceeding RMB 50 billion, Huatai Zijin operates multiple funds, including private equity (PE), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), fund of funds (FOF), and industry-specific funds. Committed to its industry positioning and grounded in robust sector research, Huatai Zijin has deeply cultivated strategic emerging industries such as healthcare and TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecom), accumulating rich industry experience and resources.

Huatai Zijin’s investment portfolio in the healthcare sector includes: Mindray Medical (300760), WuXi AppTec (603259.SH/2359.HK), RemeGen (09995.HK), Getein Biotech (603387), BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology (688166), Addex Therapeutics China (688488), Bioperfectus Technologies (688399), Shuyu Pingmin Pharmacy Chain (301017), Pumen Technology (688389), HeartFlow Medical (2160.HK), Vazyme Biotech (688105), Genetron Health, Ecocare, Sepax Technologies, XinQing Medical, Yimeier Medical, and Happy Dental. Leveraging the capital operation advantages of its securities firm ecosystem, the company has facilitated the successful listings of multiple enterprises on the A-share and H-share markets. By providing comprehensive support to industry leaders, it has established industry-leading capabilities in industrial investment and mergers and acquisitions.

Shuimu Ventures is a professional investment institution dedicated to the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements, established under the Beijing Tsinghua Industrial Development Institute (hereinafter referred to as “TDI”). Leveraging TDI’s nearly two decades of accumulation in the field of technology transfer and industrialization, Shuimu Ventures promotes the commercialization of major scientific and technological achievements from Tsinghua University through market-oriented approaches and professional management. Its investment portfolio includes PINS Medical, a unicorn company in China’s neuromodulation sector; SinoHytec, a leader in China’s hydrogen energy industry; and Hwa Create, a manufacturer of ultra-precision equipment for integrated circuits. It has also invested in a number of outstanding enterprises such as Daqing Biology, Jetson Voice, LargeV Instrument, Tinavi Medical Technologies, Shenli Technology, and Syno United.

Nanjing Jiangbei New Area Science and Technology Investment Group is a state-owned investment and financing platform dedicated to serving the development of the National Jiangbei New Area as a “Pioneer Zone for Independent Innovation.” Adhering to the philosophy of “providing answers for innovators and alleviating concerns for entrepreneurs,” the Group focuses on three core responsibilities: technology project investment, technology platform services, and the operation of scientific and technological innovation carriers. It actively explores a dual-drive model of “technology finance + technology platforms” to promote the integration of the “innovation chain, industrial chain, and capital chain,” striving to build a highland for scientific and technological innovation industry services that supports the construction of the “Two Cities” industries and the R&D-based economy in the Jiangbei New Area.