Toll-BioTech Secures Over RMB 100 Million in Series A Financing to Accelerate Innovative Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that Beijing Tuoling Botai Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Tuoling Botai”) recently announced the completion of its Series A financing round, exceeding RMB 100 million.This round of financing was led by LapamCapital, with participation from Beijing Zhongguancun Co-Innovative Fund Management Co., Ltd, CASSTAR, and Beijing Yuan Hui Capital Co.,Ltd., supporting Tuoling Botai in the R&D of first-in-class novel drugs for autoimmune diseases and the establishment of its corporate R&D center.

TuoLing BoTai was founded in 2020. Leveraging globally leading Toll-like receptor (TLR) immunomodulation technology, the company is dedicated to the research and development of innovative drugs for autoimmune diseases, providing novel therapies that regulate human immune responses to address critical unmet needs in the global immunomodulatory drug market. Building on nearly two decades of accumulated expertise in the mechanisms of immunomodulation and immunomodulatory drug research, the team has utilized advanced new drug discovery technologies and platforms to innovatively identify novel immunomodulatory mechanisms and multiple world-first small-molecule immunomodulatory drugs. The company has secured exclusive patents for these small-molecule drugs, with coverage extending to major pharmaceutical R&D countries and regions worldwide. It has established and is rapidly advancing multiple drug development pipelines focused on autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and scleroderma.

Tuoling Botai has assembled a core team with complementary professional expertise, comprising experts in immune regulation, chief physicians from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, specialists with extensive preclinical and clinical experience, and multiple PhD graduates from prestigious international universities. The team is fully committed to advancing the clinical research of the company’s projects in development and continuously enriching its R&D pipeline. It aims to tackle global challenges such as low patient response rates, high costs, and significant side effects associated with autoimmune disease medications, thereby addressing the deficiencies and gaps in existing therapies. By driving high-quality growth in the pharmaceutical market and solving real problems for patients, Tuoling Botai seeks to inject innovative vitality into the research and development of Class 1 new drugs in China.

Tuoling Botai has recently established a new drug R&D platform at the Medical Center of the Life Science Park, with completion and occupancy expected in April. Leveraging the comprehensive pharmaceutical R&D environment and resources available at the Life Science Park, this initiative will further strengthen Tuoling Botai’s R&D capabilities and expand its development pipeline.

LongMr. Yu Zhihua, Partner at LapamCapitalLapamCapital stated: “LapamCapital is committed to encouraging and supporting the R&D of first-in-class drugs, providing more treatment options for patients worldwide. With Professor Yin Hang at its core, TopAll Biotherapeutics boasts a globally unique core technology platform dedicated to the development of highly selective small-molecule inhibitors of Toll-like receptors. We believe that it will soon provide more oral small-molecule drugs for patients with autoimmune diseases, thereby improving their symptoms and prognosis.”

Wang Jianjun, Managing Partner of Zhongguancun Co-Innovative Fund“The market has been consistently seeking treatments for autoimmune diseases that offer high response rates, minimal side effects, and affordable pricing. Small-molecule Toll-like receptor (TLR) inhibitors represent a critical technological pathway in this endeavor. The Tuoling Botai team possesses a profound understanding of immune system regulation, coupled with efficient execution capabilities and sustained development expertise. Characterized by its vitality and innovative spirit, the team is rapidly advancing multiple pipeline candidates toward commercialization. We anticipate that Tuoling Botai’s innovative drugs will inject new vitality into the market and benefit patients at an early stage.”

Mi Lei, Founding Partner of CASSTARstated: “It is a great honor to participate in Tuoling Botai’s Series A financing. Autoimmune diseases affect a large patient population and exhibit significant heterogeneity, yet they are characterized by low rates of diagnosis, treatment, and drug penetration. This presents substantial unmet clinical needs and considerable market potential. Leveraging in-depth research and a profound understanding of the mechanisms regulating innate immunity, Tuoling Botai has developed a pipeline of innovative autoimmune drugs from a clinical-need perspective and has built a comprehensive team spanning R&D, industrialization, and clinical development. We highly recognize the innovative scientific achievements of Tuoling Botai’s team and look forward to the company’s continued efforts to advance its independently developed innovative drugs into clinical trials as soon as possible, thereby bringing benefit to the numerous autoimmune patients in China.”

Zhang Fan, Founding Partner of Yuan Hui Capitalstated: “We hold the Tuoling Botai team in high regard. Leveraging nearly two decades of continuous research on Toll-like receptor targets and internationally leading research achievements, the company possesses unique advantages in exploring drug development potential. We are optimistic about the company’s pipeline layout and look forward to continuous breakthroughs through the team’s relentless efforts, allowing technology to benefit humanity. We will continue to coordinate with and support the company’s long-term development, actively leveraging the strengths of Yuan Hui Capital to drive the company in creating greater social value.”

Gao Meng, Chief Operating Officer of TopBioTherastated: “TopLead Biotherapeutics actively responds to the national call for the research and development of Class 1 innovative drugs, focusing on autoimmune diseases within the chronic disease sector that most significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Addressing the urgent unmet needs in this therapeutic area, and leveraging TopLead Biotherapeutics’ substantial R&D advantages, we are vigorously advancing the development of small-molecule drugs targeting novel mechanisms and new targets. We will integrate resources from all sectors of society to accelerate preclinical and clinical studies of our key products, further expanding our product portfolio and pipeline to address health challenges faced by a broad patient population. We sincerely appreciate the recognition and support from esteemed investors such as LapamCapital, Beijing Zhongguancun Co-Innovative Fund Management Co., Ltd, CASSTAR, and Beijing Yuan Hui Capital Co., Ltd., and also thank Changfa Zhan for their assistance in this financing round. We look forward to joining hands with elites from all walks of life to create new milestones in the field of autoimmune disease therapeutics.”

LapamCapital, headquartered in Beijing, is a leading biopharmaceutical venture capital firm in China. Currently, LapamCapital manages four RMB-denominated funds and one USD-denominated fund, with total assets under management exceeding RMB 6 billion. It is the sole biopharmaceutical specialized fund to have received capital commitment from the National Social Security Fund to date. LapamCapital focuses on investing in high-quality projects within the innovative drug and innovative medical device sectors, primarily at the startup and early-to-mid stages. To date, it has invested in more than 50 innovative drug companies and over 10 innovative medical device companies, including numerous standout portfolio companies such as Betta Pharmaceuticals, RemeGen, Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Yihong Pharmaceutical, Swedevax (Shanghai) Biotechnology, BinHui Biotherapeutics, ImmuneOnco, Huahao Zhongtian, and Aier Eye Hospital Group’s subsidiary Aibo Medical. Many partners in LapamCapital’s management team possess over 20 years of R&D and management experience in the international and domestic biopharmaceutical industries, enabling them to provide comprehensive value-added services to portfolio companies.

Beijing Zhongguancun Co-Innovative Fund Management Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary controlled by Zhongguancun Development Group. It is the Group’s first market-oriented fund management company and serves as the sole platform for conducting fund cooperation in partner regions. To date, the company manages a total of 13 funds with assets under management amounting to RMB 6 billion, achieving sound economic and social returns. Its direct investment project pipeline has accumulated over 4,000 hard-tech innovative enterprises. The Zhongguancun Co-Innovation Fund series has invested in a total of 178 projects, with a primary focus on four key hard-technology sectors: next-generation information technology, high-end manufacturing, healthcare, and energy conservation and environmental protection. Upholding Zhongguancun Development Group’s philosophy of being a technology-preferred, friendly investor, and adhering to its core investment strategy of “strong technology, strong team, and strong market,” the company strives to achieve the dual objectives of serving the national strategy for scientific and technological innovation and promoting capital value growth.

CASSTAR is China’s first professional platform dedicated to venture capital investment and incubation in hard technology. As the originator of the “hard technology” concept and a pioneer in hard technology investment, CASSTAR is committed to building an integrated hard-tech entrepreneurial ecosystem that combines “research institutions + angel investment + entrepreneurial platforms + incubation services,” providing tech entrepreneurs with professional, in-depth, and comprehensive solutions for investment, incubation, and financing. Currently, CASSTAR manages several operational funds, including Xike Angel Fund Phase I, Xike Angel Fund Phase II, Xike Angel Fund Phase III, Big Data Incubation Fund, Big Data Industry Fund, Xi’an CAS Growth Fund, Shaanxi Optoelectronic Integration Fund, Beijing Hard Tech Venture Capital Fund, and Beijing CASSTAR Hard Tech Fund Phase II, with a cumulative total size of RMB 5.3 billion.

Yuan Hui Capital was established in 2010. With a long-term perspective, it seeks out passionate entrepreneurs and growth-oriented enterprises possessing hard-core technologies, investing in and accompanying them throughout their development. Guided by the philosophy of “ESG investment,” Yuan Hui Capital promotes corporate upgrading towards “Business for Good,” facilitating a transition from merely “operating legally without doing harm” to achieving “high-quality sustainable development.” Through model innovations combining “venture capital + grant-making foundations + modern grassroots philanthropy,” it enables commerce to continuously generate resources and empower public welfare initiatives. This approach not only advances the development of modern grassroots philanthropy but also helps companies realize greater social value. Over the past 11 years since its establishment, Yuan Hui Capital has strategically focused on three major sectors: healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the chip industry, and new energy. It has invested in more than 50 high-quality enterprises. Representative portfolio companies include Sinocare, Keygen Biotech, HyperTherm, XianTong Pharma, SafeGene, Kangyuan Bochuang, InnoMed, Topcon Medical, and Huakan Bio in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector; Maxscend Microelectronics, Montage Technology, GaoTuo Xunda, Mingtai Electronics, Chip Dynamics, and Nanocrystal Technologies in the semiconductor field; Shichuang Energy, Yihong Intelligence, and Shenli Technology in the new energy sector; as well as Yingmo Technology, Quzhi Technology, HiAR, Bangbangxing, and Aishu Information in the AI and big data domains.