HopStem Bio Completes Hundreds of Millions RMB Series B Financing to Advance Global iPSC Cell Therapy Access

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that, following its A++ round of financing in May this year, Hopstem Biotechnology has announced the completion of a B-round financing worth hundreds of millions of yuan. The round was led by GL Ventures, with participation from Lilly Asia Ventures and existing investor YuanBio Venture Capital.

It is understood that the funds raised by Hopstem Biotechnology in this round will be used to support clinical trials for its first product, expand its existing iPSC cell therapy product pipeline, and develop a GMP-compliant automated closed production system.

Hopstem Biotechnology is an innovative R&D enterprise dedicated to providing global patients with stable, safe, effective, and affordable iPSC cell therapy products. Currently, it operates a nearly 4,000-square-meter GMP-compliant production, testing, and R&D center in Hangzhou that meets U.S. and EU standards. The company has established a CMC development platform and quality system for iPSC-derived cell products, along with proprietary GMP-grade iPSC cell lines and cell banks available for commercial development and licensing in the global market. Multiple core patents of Hopstem Biotechnology have been granted in China or Australia, and additional patent applications have entered the national phase in the United States, the European Union, Japan, and other countries/regions through the PCT route, with further patents and products under strategic development.

Hopstem Biotechnology’s previous four rounds of financing involved institutional investors including Hangjing Kai Chuang Venture Capital, Heli Investment, Cybernaut Investment, Data Capital, Ruisheng Investment, Longmen Capital, Huacheng Venture Capital, and YuanBio Venture Capital. Dr. Fan Jing stated, “We are delighted to complete this round of cooperation with GL Ventures and Lilly Asia Ventures, and we thank our existing shareholders for their strong support. The funds from this round will provide crucial support for accelerating the company’s R&D efforts and expanding its product pipeline. We look forward to welcoming more industry and management talents to the Hopstem team to jointly create value for patients worldwide!”

GL Ventures stated: “We are delighted to support global innovators in iPSC cell therapy such as Hopstem Biotechnology. In addition to its iPSC reprogramming capabilities, leading neural differentiation technology platform, and patents, we highly value the company’s sustained innovation capacity, industrialization expertise, and commitment to delivering value to patients. We look forward to providing long-term support to accelerate the R&D and clinical development of its multiple product candidates.”

Lilly Asia Ventures stated, “iPSC-based cell therapies hold immense potential and are poised to achieve breakthroughs in numerous diseases that currently lack effective treatments. We are highly optimistic about Hopstem Biotechnology’s future growth, given its position as the first enterprise in China to establish a high-standard iPSC cell platform.”

Chen Jie, Founding Partner of YuanBio Venture Capital: “Following YuanBio’s lead investment in the previous round, we are delighted to continue participating in Hopstem Biotechnology’s new financing round. Since the completion of the last funding round, the founding team led by Dr. Fan Jing has made significant progress in product development, particularly in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC), effectively streamlining all key processes. This has greatly advanced the clinical application of the company’s iPSC cell therapy technology and further solidified Hopstem Biotechnology’s leading position in neural differentiation and cellular engineering of human iPSCs/ESCs.”