Zhuhai Base Therapeutics Secures Nearly RMB 100 Million in Angel Funding to Advance Novel Gene-Edited NK Cell and Gene Therapies

VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) has learned that Zhuhai Base Oncology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Base Therapeutics”), a biotechnology company, recently completed an angel financing round of nearly RMB 100 million. The lead investors in this round were Hui Capital, Hongli Venture Capital, and Panacea Venture. Hengqin Financial Investment also participated in this round. The proceeds from this financing will be primarily used to upgrade Base Therapeutics’ proprietary gene-edited NK cell platform and gene therapy platform, support product development, build its patent portfolio, and strengthen related team capabilities.

Base Therapeutics was officially established in April this year. The company was founded by Dr. Xu Tianhong, who brings 20 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist in the biomedical field. Base Therapeutics is dedicated to the research and development of novel gene-edited NK cell therapy products and gene therapy products. Dr. Xu earned his undergraduate degree from Fudan University and obtained his Ph.D. in Human and Molecular Genetics from Baylor College of Medicine in the United States. The core team at Base Therapeutics includes experts with 15 years of specialized experience in NK cell therapy, leading specialists in gene editing and base editing, as well as veterans with 20 years of experience in the cell therapy industry and clinical trials, respectively.

Base Therapeutics possesses a suite of proprietary core technologies, patents, and know-how in the fields of NK cells and gene editing. The company has established a comprehensive platform for genetic engineering of NK cells and completed proof-of-concept studies. Its current R&D pipeline includes multiple global first-in-class universal cell therapy products, targeting various solid tumors such as lung cancer, liver cancer, and glioma, as well as addressing unmet therapeutic needs in hematologic malignancies.

The future belongs to the era of cell and gene therapy, a consensus that has nearly been reached within the industry. While autologous CAR-T therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy, it suffers from numerous limitations, including high costs, lack of definitive efficacy data for solid tumors, severe side effects such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and the development of drug resistance. Natural Killer (NK) cells employ a killing mechanism distinct from that of T cells. Their activity is regulated by the balance between a series of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs) and Killer-cell Activation Receptors (KARs) on their surface, rather than relying on specific antigens present on tumor cells. Furthermore, NK cells do not induce Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) in allogeneic settings and typically do not trigger CRS, offering an excellent safety profile and making them an ideal source for universal off-the-shelf cell therapies. However, despite more than a decade of clinical research involving NK cells, challenges such as difficulties in ex vivo expansion and extremely low transduction efficiency have hindered the advancement of NK cell therapy. Although induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells can relatively easily overcome these two technical hurdles, issues such as potential oncogenic risks remain unresolved. Over the past decade of research and development, the Base Therapeutics team has successfully addressed these technical challenges and established significant technological and patent barriers.

Following the completion of this funding round, Base Therapeutics will accelerate the Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) and Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for its core First-in-Class cell therapy products, while also applying its proprietary base editing technology to the development of gene therapy products.

Dr. Xu Tianhong stated, “We are deeply grateful to the investors in this round for their recognition and strong support of Base Therapeutics. The company will continue to refine its NK cell and base editing platform development, and rapidly advance its core cell therapy and gene therapy products. We also warmly welcome talented individuals to join us in building a great biotechnology company.”

Honghui Capital (HLC) is an asset management company dedicated to fostering technological innovation, leveraging deep industry insights as its core competency to empower key sectors such as healthcare and consumer goods, and creating long-term value. With assets under management exceeding RMB 10 billion, HLC has established offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. To date, HLC has invested in more than 90 high-quality enterprises, over 20 of which have been listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and Nasdaq. Its investment portfolio includes Mindray Medical, WuXi AppTec, Tigermed, Pharmaron, United Imaging Healthcare, Borui Medicine, Sansure Biotech, Abogen Biosciences, and others.

Hongli Venture Capital, established in 2015, is a boutique investment firm that focuses on companies with entrepreneurial passion. It primarily invests in the fields of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, and TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications), with its investment footprint spanning China, the United States, and Israel. The firm assists overseas portfolio companies in entering the rapidly growing Chinese market while bridging domestic companies’ expansion into international markets. As a boutique investment institution, it provides funding from the seed and startup stages through to the growth stage. Its angel and early-stage portfolio includes: Hifibio, Viracta Therapeutics, Rani Therapeutics, Tangji Medical, Huiyun Biology, Jinfeng Biology, Platelet Biogenesis, Houkai Medical, Apexigen, Taili Biology, TriArm, and Aosu Liquid Core, among others.

Panacea Venture is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage and growth-stage investments, specializing in Chinese healthcare and life sciences companies. The fund is co-founded and managed by General Partner and Executive Partner James Huang and Managing Partner Dr. Hai Mi, who were previously partners at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers China (KPCB China). The fund seeks capital appreciation by acquiring early-stage equity stakes in private healthcare-related companies.

Hengqin Jintou is a key investment platform for capital operations and industrial incubation in the Hengqin New Area. It is responsible for managing and operating government funds in the Hengqin New Area and has participated in establishing more than 20 market-oriented sub-funds. The company manages the Hengqin Angel Investment Fund and Venture Capital Fund, having invested in over 30 sci-tech innovation enterprises. Its investment portfolio includes Aikangte, Yingmi, Yiwei Semiconductor, Lifanda, and Yinming Biology.