GREATSEN Biopharma Completes Series A Financing to Advance Active Targeting Drug Delivery Technologies and Innovative Macromolecular Therapeutics

Recently, Beijing GreatSun Biopharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “GreatSun”) announced the completion of its tens-of-millions-of-yuan Series A financing round. It is reported that this round of financingJointly invested by Longyu Hongda (a fund under Sihuan Pharmaceutical), Guoxin Haixiang, and Henan Jinggang Advanced Manufacturing Equity Investment Fund, with Maibo Capital serving as the exclusive financial advisor.This round of investment will be primarily used to drive product research and development, enrich the product pipeline, expand the professional team, and accelerate the commercialization of future products, further strengthening GreatSun’s leading advantages in core technologies and market presence.

GreatSun is a leading domestic innovative technology-driven pharmaceutical R&D enterprise, with strategic focus on two major platforms: advanced small-molecule formulations and large-molecule biologics. Centered on clinical needs and specializing in oncology, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases, the company has assembled top-tier technical experts in China to develop a series of globally leading innovative technological products. Dr. Cui Guanghua, the founder, previously served as Director of the Formulation and Pharmacokinetics Research Office at the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences; Member of the Pharmaceutical Professional Committee of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA); National New Drug Review Expert; and Deputy Chairman of the PLA General Staff Department’s Pharmacy Professional Committee. He brings over twenty years of experience in drug research and development, along with more than ten years of expertise in corporate management and commercialization.

Left: Zhang Qiang, Center: Cui Guanghua, Right: Yang Ziyi

GreatSun’s advanced formulation platform leverages innovative drug delivery system R&D technologies to develop pharmaceutical products urgently needed in clinical practice. The R&D team, led by Professor Zhang Qiang from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Peking University—a leading figure in China’s formulation field—comprises top-tier talents in innovative drug formulations. The team has successfully developed the world’s first actively targeted nanodelivery system with a novel targeting mechanism: long-circulating liposomes modified with c(RGD-ACP-K). These liposomes specifically bind to integrin αvβ3, targeting not only tumor neovasculature but also tumor cells themselves. This enables targeted delivery of anticancer drugs directly into tumor cells, thereby enhancing delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy while reducing toxic side effects. Preclinical studies of GreatSun’s first actively targeted product, “GSI-01 Doxorubicin Long-Circulating Liposomes,” have demonstrated significant improvements in both safety and efficacy compared to second-generation doxorubicin liposomes. In animal models, GSI-01 did not induce hand-foot syndrome, a common clinical adverse effect associated with DOXIL®, thus addressing an urgent unmet need for managing this complication. Currently, preclinical studies of GSI-01 for the treatment of liver cancer are actively underway, with promising results.

GreatSun’s Macromolecular Biopharmaceutical R&D Platform is led by Professor Yang Ziyi, a top-tier scientist in China’s biotechnology R&D field. Professor Yang previously served as Director of the Biotechnology Research Laboratory at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Academy of Military Medical Sciences; as a member of the Expert Committee for New Drug Review of the People's Liberation Army; as a Distinguished Expert appointed by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission; and as a member of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission’s Expert Database. He also formerly held the positions of Director of the Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group’s Biological Research Institute and Director of Biological R&D at Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holding Group, bringing extensive experience in technological R&D and industrialization. GreatSun currently boasts a top-tier Pichia pastoris eukaryotic expression system platform in China and has developed multiple Class 1 novel biologics urgently needed for clinical use, focusing on high-potential markets such as cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases and oncology. GreatSun’s first Class 1 novel biologic, GSI-14, a hemostatic recombinant protein, has completed preclinical studies including process development, quality assessment, non-clinical pharmacodynamics, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics. Its Investigational New Drug (IND) application was expected to be approved in 2022, positioning it to become a blockbuster product in China’s hemostasis field.

Dr. Cui Guanghua, Founder and Chairman of GreatSunGreatSun stated: “Driven by clinical needs, GreatSun has assembled top-tier technical and industrial experts in China to develop drugs with significant innovation and clinical application value. Drawing on our team’s decades of experience in drug R&D and commercialization, we deeply understand the pain points and challenges in the clinical treatment of various indications. We firmly believe that the development of innovative drug delivery systems and large-molecule biologics holds immense application value. We have successfully overcome the challenges associated with translating innovative technologies into clinical products. With the support of capital, GreatSun aims to accelerate innovative R&D, enrich its product pipeline, and expedite the strategic layout of ‘drug delivery + biologic innovation,’ thereby laying a solid foundation for the company’s future growth. The favor shown by professional investors reflects their high level of trust in GreatSun’s team expertise and strategic vision.”

Che Fengsheng, Chairman of Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings GroupStatement: We highly recognize GreatSun’s strategic layout and leading advantages, remain firmly optimistic about the company’s future prospects, and will work collaboratively to promote GreatSun’s high-quality development. With its unique proprietary technologies, GreatSun’s product R&D is at the forefront both in China and globally. Its management team demonstrates strong execution capabilities and an innovative vision. We believe that as the company advances its product pipeline and establishes a mature commercialization strategy, GreatSun will emerge as a leader in innovative R&D in China, delivering the highest quality treatments to more patients.

Zhan Juebao, General Manager of Guoxin ZhongshuStatement: Drug delivery and innovative biopharmaceuticals represent key development directions for domestic innovative drug R&D. Guoxin Haixiang has long focused on enterprises developing innovative technologies and products that address urgent clinical needs, with GreatSun standing out as a highly representative advanced company. We believe GreatSun is a rare innovative firm in China possessing dual platforms for small-molecule drug delivery and large-molecule drug development. We highly recognize the team’s professionalism and execution capabilities and will continue to support the company’s future growth.

Yang Peng, Assistant to the General Manager of Xingshengxin Capital at Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zonestated: "GreatSun boasts a high-quality R&D team and a strategic layout. We are very optimistic about GreatSun's development and hope to provide tangible support and assistance to outstanding pharmaceutical projects like GreatSun, achieving collaborative innovation and development."

Mu Ai, Partner at MaiBo CapitalStatement: We are honored to have assisted GreatSun in completing this round of financing and to serve as its long-term financial advisor and strategic partner. Innovative drug delivery system technologies and biopharmaceutical R&D are areas highly valued by Maibo Capital, representing our key focus for strategic investment. GreatSun boasts a clear strategic layout and a highly innovative technology platform, supported by a top-tier expert team. By grounding its approach in clinical needs and product quality, the company pragmatically drives technological and product innovation, demonstrating strong market competitiveness. Maibo Capital will continue to provide high-quality services to GreatSun.

Longyu Hongda Investment Management Co., Ltd. was established in 2016 and is a wholly-owned investment institution controlled by Hainan Sihuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Beijing Guoxin Haixiang Equity Investment Partnership (Limited Partnership) was established in 2020, jointly initiated by Haixiang Pharmaceutical and Guoxin Zhongshu. The partnership will focus on investments in the pharmaceutical and broader healthcare industry.

Henan Jingang Advanced Manufacturing Equity Investment Fund (Limited Partnership) was established in 2019. It was jointly initiated by Henan Nongkai Industrial Fund Investment Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Chuangtai Biotechnology Service Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Airport District Xingshengxin Capital Management Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou Zhongsheng Industrial Group Co., Ltd., Henan Zhongyuan Lianchuang Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., Beijing Jintan Capital Management Co., Ltd., and Henan Jingang Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. The fund is managed by Henan Jingang Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd.

MedBio Capital is a boutique investment bank specializing in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, committed to serving as a capital and strategic partner to leading scientists and entrepreneurs. Its core team has deep expertise in the medical industry, covering key stages from R&D and clinical development to commercialization, and possesses multidisciplinary backgrounds in investment, investment banking, and consulting. Team members have collectively facilitated over RMB 10 billion in financing and have provided services to more than ten top-tier publicly listed healthcare companies.