PilotGene Secures RMB 120 Million Series A+ Financing Led by Share Investment with Follow-on from Pudong Xintou Capital

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that PILOT Gene Technologies (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (“PILOT Gene”) recently announced the completion of its RMB 120 million Series A+ financing round. The round was led by Fenxiang Investment, with participation from Puxin Capital and continued investment from existing shareholders.

This round of financing will be used to accelerate the strategic layout in the digital PCR sector, including the development of multiple innovative equipment platforms, R&D of various molecular diagnostic reagents, clinical trials, and regulatory registration and certification. These efforts aim to promote their applications in life sciences and medicine, expand the sales team, and deepen market penetration, thereby laying a solid foundation for PILOT Gene technologies’ continued advancement in the field of molecular diagnostics.

As the “third-generation PCR technology,” digital PCR has gained widespread recognition for its technical principles and detection methods after years of development. Compared with conventional PCR, digital PCR offers high sensitivity, high specificity, and absolute quantification. It is extensively applied in fields such as pathogenic microorganism detection, tumor liquid biopsy, and reproductive and genetic testing, demonstrating significant advantages in the detection of trace nucleic acid samples, identification of rare mutations against complex backgrounds, and characterization of subtle differences in expression levels.

PILOT Gene Technologies is dedicated to the research, development, production, and sales of upstream and midstream products in the digital PCR industry chain. Its product portfolio covers equipment, chips, and in vitro diagnostic reagents related to digital PCR technology, providing users with optimal comprehensive solutions. Since its establishment in 2014, the company has consistently and efficiently launched a series of registered products to the market.

From the approval and market launch of China’s first independently developed digital PCR system with proprietary intellectual property rights featuring three-color fluorescence channels (C2400) in 2018, to the introduction of the new five-color fluorescence channel droplet digital PCR system (D3200) in 2019, the continuous rollout of the upgraded seven-color fluorescence biochip reader CS7 based on the D3200 platform in 2020, and the market launch of the Automated Digital PCR System Construction Platform (AP10) and the Automated Droplet Digital PCR System (AD16), to the full regulatory approval of the complete CS series of biochip readers (covering three- to seven-color fluorescence channels) in 2021, PILOT Gene Technologies has continuously refined its digital PCR product portfolio. By offering flexible hardware configurations tailored to diverse customer application needs, the company has achieved technological breakthroughs in the number of fluorescence channels, micro-reaction unit capacity, level of automation, detection throughput, and consumable costs, positioning itself at the forefront of the industry.

Digital PCR Product Line (Partial)

Mr. Xia Jiang, founder of PILOT Gene Technologies, stated“We appreciate the recognition from Share Investment and Puxin Capital, as well as the continued support from our existing shareholders. Moving forward, PILOT Gene Technologies will leverage its digital PCR technology platform over the next 3–5 years. Guided by urgent clinical needs in China, we will achieve independent control over our products through continuous technological innovation, while establishing an effective ‘R&D-driven commercialization’ mechanism to deliver superior products to researchers, clinicians, and patients.”

Mr. Huang Fanzhi, Managing Partner of Fenxiang Investment’s Healthcare Fund, stated“Digital PCR, as a platform technology, boasts distinct advantages over other detection methods. Its ultra-high sensitivity enables the detection of known trace nucleic acid samples, rare mutations in complex backgrounds, and specimens with subtle differences in expression levels. Furthermore, its absolute quantification capability positions it to play a pivotal role in companion diagnostics and dynamic monitoring of minute samples. In line with this technological trend, we are pleased to see that PILOT Gene Technologies has taken the lead in launching an automated, high-throughput, multi-color channel digital PCR system. Through innovative design of chips and other key consumables, this system enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and prevents contamination, achieving critical breakthroughs in areas such as infectious diseases and tumor liquid biopsy. We are delighted to collaborate with the PILOT Gene Technologies team to advance the clinical application and development of this technology.”

Puxin Capital stated“Driven by multiple rounds of healthcare reform, a diversified competitive landscape has taken shape in the medical services sector. We are delighted to partner with PILOT Gene Technologies to jointly promote the application of our digital PCR product series in the fields of life sciences and clinical practice, accelerate its commercialization strategy, contribute to the ‘Healthy China Initiative,’ serve the national economy and people’s livelihood, meet the country’s multi-level and diverse needs for innovative medical services, and contribute to the innovative development of China’s medical services industry.”

Anpu Capital stated“Since participating in the angel round investment of PILOT Gene Technologies in 2016, this marks our fourth investment in the company, reflecting Anpu Capital’s strategy of concentrated and follow-on investments. Over the past five years, we have steadfastly supported Mr. Xia’s various explorations in the research, development, and application of digital PCR, guiding PILOT Gene Technologies to pursue ‘what is right in the long term’ and resist the temptations of short-term gains.”

"In the field of rapid and precise infectious disease diagnostics, PILOT Gene Technologies has already emerged as a global leader in innovation. We firmly believe that PILOT Gene Technologies will make significant contributions to human health by addressing the burden of infections—which affect tens of millions of patients annually, cause millions of deaths, and leave millions with long-term sequelae—and will become one of the few Chinese precision medicine technology enterprises with independent intellectual property rights and global competitiveness."

PILOT Gene Technologies (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. is a national-level high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing, sales, and services of life science products. The company boasts a high-caliber multidisciplinary R&D team and a highly professional senior sales team, has established world-class R&D centers and GMP-compliant production facilities, and holds more than 60 independent intellectual property rights.

The company focuses on the research and development of Digital PCR technology, with multiple related products having obtained NMPA registration certificates. It has now launched a high-throughput, low-cost, fully automated digital PCR detection platform, which is applied in fields such as pathogenic microorganism detection, tumor liquid biopsy, reproduction, and genetics. The company provides users with comprehensive molecular diagnostic solutions, making genetic testing accessible to the general public.

Sharing Investment Healthcare Fund focuses on innovation and the future of the medical sector, specializing in early-to-mid-stage investments within the healthcare industry while also participating in leading late-stage projects. It strikes a balance between innovation and stability, with a particular emphasis on biotechnology, new drug R&D, and innovative services. The fund has invested in over 80 companies in the healthcare sector and boasts a professional investment team of 12 members with extensive investment experience and deep industry expertise. Notable investment cases include Meinian Onehealth (002044.SZ), BGI Genomics (300676.SZ), Buchang Pharmaceuticals (603858.SH), Zeltis Pharma (688266.SH), Genetron Health (GTH.US), Fapon Biotech, Vazyme, and Kangwei Century.

Puxin Capital is a private equity manager under Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, established in April 2014. Focusing on sectors such as biopharmaceuticals and fintech, Puxin Capital leverages resources across various industries and fields to specialize in services related to equity investment and investment management. Notable investment cases include CanSino Biologics, Changyang Technology, Guiji Intelligence, and Arno Therapeutics.

Anpu Capital was founded in Shanghai in 2016, focusing on venture capital investments. Adhering to the philosophy of value investing and strictly following investment logic, Anpu Capital centers on curated investment targets, maintains a strategy of leading rounds and follow-on investments, and actively invests in and holds long-term positions in high-quality startups with significant growth potential. Leveraging deep insights into business value, corporate operations and management, entrepreneurship, and capital markets, Anpu Capital guides entrepreneurs to “do the right things and do things right,” earning high recognition and full trust from its portfolio companies.