Luzhu Biotech Secures RMB 350 Million Series B Financing Led by CCB International to Advance Clinical Development of Recombinant Herpes Zoster Vaccine and CD19-CD3 Bispecific Antibody in the US and China

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) learned at the earliest opportunity thatOn August 30, Beijing Luzhu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Luzhu Biotech”) announced the completion of its Series B financing round, raising RMB 350 million.This round of financing was led by CCB International, with strategic investments from two A+H share listed companies, Tigermed and Livzon Pharmaceutical Group, and followed by multiple investment institutions. Kaicheng Capital served as the chief financial advisor for this financing.

The funds from this financing round will be primarily used for clinical trials of the company’s independently developed recombinant zoster vaccine, as well as for clinical studies of the bispecific antibody CD19-CD3 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and relapsed/refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). On August 3, 2021, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) officially approved the investigational new drug (IND) application for Lvzhu Biopharma’s self-developed Class 1.2 innovative drug, the recombinant zoster vaccine (CHO cells), paving the way for the anticipated initiation of Phase I clinical trials in the near future.

Green Bamboo Bio’s Pipeline Projects

“This round of financing will advance Luye Biopharma’s clinical trials for new vaccines and bispecific antibodies, empowering the company’s product pipeline,”Mr. Kong Jian, Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Scientist of Green Bamboo BioHe stated, “We are deeply grateful to our investors for their recognition of the Company’s R&D capabilities and their continued support for our product development. We are confident that, through our collective efforts, the Company will be able to bring truly innovative drugs—characterized by high quality, competitive pricing, and minimal side effects—to the public at an early date.”

Ms. Jiang Xianmin, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Green Bamboo Biologics“The company has remained steadfast in its commitment to innovative drug development for two decades, with the aim of addressing unmet needs in disease treatment and prevention—a goal our past R&D achievements have successfully fulfilled. Our vaccine candidates currently under development will further expand China’s vaccine-preventable disease portfolio. Meanwhile, our bispecific antibody CD19-CD3 offers a new therapeutic option for patients with heavily pretreated B-cell lymphoma/leukemia. This ‘chemotherapy-free’ regimen holds promise for ushering in a new era in the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma/leukemia.”

Project Lead, CCB InternationalIt stated: “In recent years, CCB International has made investments in the field of vaccine R&D, focusing on companies developing vaccines for specific niche indications, thereby establishing a robust industrial portfolio. The collaboration with Luye Biopharm will further complete CCB International’s investment puzzle in this sector. With solid technical expertise and extensive industry experience, Luye Biopharm’s core team is a pioneer in China’s vaccine R&D landscape. The company’s recombinant zoster vaccine fills the gap for domestically produced vaccines in this field, aligning with the national strategy of ‘self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology’ as well as industry development trends. CCB International looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with Luye Biopharm to benefit countless patients.”

Upon the completion of this round of financing, the Company will accelerate the clinical development and commercialization of its R&D pipeline, and initiate an initial public offering (IPO) at an appropriate time.

Luzhu Biopharma was established in November 2001. The company’s co-founders are Mr. Kong Jian, a former researcher at the Beijing Institute of Biological Products; Ms. Jiang Xianmin, a former associate researcher; and Ms. Zhang Yanping. In response to the lack of vaccines available both domestically and internationally for preventing meningococcal meningitis infection in children under two years of age at that time, and leveraging their mastered polysaccharide-protein conjugation technology,Successfully developed a variety of bacterial polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines and high-purity, low-pyrogen polysaccharide vaccines (all of which have been transferred to the listed company Zhifei Biological Products, stock code: 300122.SZ). Luye Bio is the first company in the world to develop a Group A and Group C meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine.The company has cumulatively filed 12 invention patent applications for innovative drugs (including 2 PCT applications) and has been granted 5 invention patents. Over the past five years, it has obtained two clinical trial approvals for monoclonal antibody biosimilars, one for a bispecific antibody, one for an inactivated viral vaccine, and one for a recombinant viral protein vaccine.

In November 2018, Lvzhu Biotechnology established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Lvzhu Biopharmaceuticals (Zhuhai) Co., Ltd., in Jinwan District, Zhuhai City. Covering an area of 105 mu, the facility is dedicated to the research, development, and manufacturing of high-end human vaccines and biological products, with the aim of becoming a world-class, international-standard industrial base for biopharmaceutical production.

Green Bamboo Biologics has always adhered to the principle of “people-oriented, striving for excellence,” focusing on human vaccines and therapeutic monoclonal antibody drugs as its primary research directions. The company insists on independent R&D while actively introducing internationally leading technologies to develop and manufacture vaccine products and biologics that meet market demands.

Beijing Luzhu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has independently developed the recombinant zoster vaccine (LZ901), which is a recombinant protein tetramer formed by the extracellular domain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein E expressed in CHO cells. Unlike the existing recombinant VZV gE monomers on the market, LZ901 employs antigen-directed presentation technology, significantly enhancing its ability to stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies and elicit Th1-mediated cellular immunity.

Animal study results showed that the immunogenicity of LZ901 was more than four times that of VZV gE at the same dose. Completed primate studies demonstrated that two injections elicited high-titer serum neutralizing antibodies and cellular immunity.

CCB International, the investment banking flagship of China Construction Bank Corporation, has established a comprehensive investment banking value chain through its subsidiaries, covering Pre-IPO, IPO, and Post-IPO stages with a diverse product portfolio. It has identified and nurtured numerous industry-leading enterprises, achieving superior investment returns while fostering mutual success with its clients.

Tigermed (Stock Codes: 300347.SZ / 3347.HK) is a CRO (Contract Research Organization) specializing in providing comprehensive professional services for the entire clinical trial process of new drug development. It delivers integrated and comprehensive clinical research services and solutions to global pharmaceutical and medical device innovators, thereby reducing R&D risks, shortening development cycles, cutting R&D costs, and accelerating product commercialization, with the ultimate goal of enabling patients to access newer and better pharmaceutical and medical products at an earlier stage.

Livzon Pharmaceutical Group (Stock Codes: 000513.SZ / 1513.HK) is a dual-listed pharmaceutical group integrating research and development, manufacturing, and sales. It vigorously promotes the development of innovative technologies and pharmaceutical products to address the unmet clinical needs of a broad patient population. Its business portfolio spans biologics, chemical drugs, traditional Chinese medicines, and in vitro diagnostic reagents, covering multiple therapeutic areas including gastrointestinal disorders, oncology immunology, anti-infectives, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, reproductive endocrinology, and psychiatry/neurology. In 2020, the Group achieved annual revenue exceeding RMB 10 billion and ranked 23rd among the Top 100 Chinese Pharmaceutical Industrial Enterprises. The Group has continuously increased its R&D investments in small-molecule chemical drugs, large-molecule biologics, and novel protein vaccines, with annual R&D expenditure nearing RMB 1 billion, earning it recognition as one of the Best Industrial Enterprises for Pharmaceutical R&D Pipelines in China in 2021. Livzon Pharmaceutical remains committed to investing in innovative fields and advanced technologies, upholding the vision of “Prioritizing Patients’ Quality of Life” and striving to become a “Leader in the Pharmaceutical Industry.”