Immunophage Biotech Secures RMB 200 Million Series A Financing to Advance Global First-in-Class Drug Pipeline Targeting Oncology, Autoimmune, Metabolic, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on May 11, Nanjing Aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. (“Aimeifei”) announced the completion of its RMB 200 million Series A financing round. This round of financingLed by Lingcheng Venture Capital and Junshi Biosciences, professional institutions focused on innovative drug investment, with follow-on investment from New Silk Road Financial Holdings, and Haneng Investment serving as the exclusive financial advisor for this round of financing.。
It is reported that this round of financing will be used to advance the clinical studies of the company’s first-tier pipeline and support the R&D of subsequent pipelines, thereby accelerating the development and commercialization of its drug candidates. Previously, multiple projects in Aimeifei’s first-tier pipeline had entered the IND filing stage in both China and the United States, and the company plans to initiate Phase I clinical trials for several projects in the second half of the year.
Aimeifei, founded in 2016 with angel investment from Enran Venture Capital, is an innovative drug R&D company focused on globally leading targets. The company is dedicated to developing novel small-molecule and large-molecule therapeutics for major diseases, including malignant tumors, autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions, consistently achieving milestone breakthroughs in innovative drug development. Aimeifei established its Shanghai R&D Center and a wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia in 2018 and 2021, respectively, and planned to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary in the United States in the second half of 2021, thereby realizing its global strategic layout.
Aimeifei’s core management team consists of former executives from GSK, bringing together a group of mid-level technical experts from renowned pharmaceutical companies such as GSK, Pfizer, and Novartis to form a highly competitive new drug R&D team. The companyDr. Fan Guohuang, FounderWith over 25 years of research experience in major diseases such as malignant tumors, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, Dr. Fan Guohuang previously served as a professor and doctoral supervisor at renowned universities in the United States and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prior to founding Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., Dr. Fan managed new drug R&D teams at GSK’s China R&D Center, leading multiple innovative drug development projects and achieving significant research outcomes. The companyChief Scientific Officer (CSO) Dr. Wang JianfeiDedicated to translational medicine research for many years, completed training at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School in the United States, served as a professor at a renowned Canadian university, formerly headed the Integrated Biology Platform and served as Senior Scientist at GSK, and completed preclinical development for multiple new drug R&D projects.
Commenting on the completion of this round of financing, Dr. Fan Guohuang stated, “We appreciate the recognition and expectations from Lingcheng Venture Capital and other institutional investors in Aimeifei. The company is currently nearing the completion of dual IND filings in China and the United States for its first-tier pipeline projects. Multiple clinical studies are expected to be launched this year across China, the United States, and Australia, while preclinical research for subsequent pipeline projects is also set to commence. Driven by innovation, Aimeifei is committed to providing patients with a new generation of safe, reliable, and quality-controllable therapeutics.”
Since its inception, Aimeifei has adhered to a drug development philosophy that starts with globally leading targets and is based on disease cell phenotypes. The company is dedicated to developing “First-in-Class” novel drugs for major refractory diseases such as malignant tumors and autoimmune disorders, striving to achieve global firsts and pursue genuine innovation from the source. Dr. Fan Guohuang, the founder, emphasizes that only by insisting on target-based source innovation can the company secure broader prospects for future development.
Based on the R&D philosophy of the company’s founders and the team’s years of accumulated experience in developing new drugs for major diseases, Aimeifei has established a unique R&D strategy and differentiated competitive advantages:
First, in the field of oncology, Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. has abandoned the "tumor-killing" approach and is instead focused on developing novel immunomodulatory anti-cancer drugs designed to reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
Secondly, in the field of inflammation and autoimmune diseases, immune balance is restored by modulating the phenotypes of immune cells such as macrophages, thereby inhibiting the progression of autoimmune diseases.
Third, in the field of immunometabolic diseases, energy levels are enhanced and disease progression is slowed by correcting the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of aging organs.
Fourthly, in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, Nanjing Aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. focuses on the cross-talk between inflammatory immune cells and the nervous system to improve the immune-inflammatory milieu of these conditions. This approach holds promise for breaking through current therapeutic bottlenecks in neurodegenerative disease treatment, offering new hope to a large number of patients.
Aimeifei has achieved a global leading position in the development of drugs targeting relevant therapeutic targets. Its robust preclinical research has laid a solid foundation for advancing its pipeline into clinical trials, thereby instilling great confidence in both the team and investors.
Currently, Aimeifei boasts more than 10 globally innovative R&D pipelines. The first tier comprises seven projects centered on two candidate molecules, IPG1094 and IPG7236, for which Investigational New Drug (IND) applications are underway. These projects are expected to receive IND approvals and formally enter Phase I clinical trials before the third quarter of 2021. The company maintains a pace of submitting IND applications for more than two new drug projects per year on average.
In addition to pursuing a path of differentiated innovation, Aimeifei’s core competitiveness also stems from the continuous innovation and output capabilities of its founder and core team. Beyond its rapidly advancing small-molecule pipeline, Aimeifei has made original, cutting-edge investments in pipelines such as monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies, forming a second-tier pipeline and securing corresponding proprietary candidate molecules. The company is expected to formally enter the clinical trial phase after completing its Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the first quarter of 2022.
Regarding the investment in Nanjing aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd,Sun Hangcheng, Managing Partner of Lingcheng Venture CapitalIt indicates that in recent years, China’s innovative drug industry has experienced rapid growth, with the industrial landscape undergoing disruptive changes. Relying solely on a “Fast-Follow” strategy will increasingly constrain the competitiveness of innovative pharmaceutical companies. Some leading Chinese innovative drug enterprises have already shifted their focus toward First-in-Class drugs, establishing global innovative R&D pipelines.
We believe that Aimeifei is precisely such a forward-looking innovative pharmaceutical company, with multiple products in its pipeline being first-in-class globally. Of course, visionary strategy requires efficient execution and implementation by the team. The company’s team has been deeply engaged for many years in the development, validation, and molecular optimization of novel targets, boasting strong R&D capabilities and promising growth potential. We are confident that Aimeifei will become a leader in drug innovation both in China and worldwide. Lingcheng Venture Capital will also leverage its strategic resources and advantages in clinical research to actively empower Aimeifei’s subsequent clinical studies, helping the company achieve rapid growth.
Wang Maoting, Chairman of New Silk Road Financial HoldingsIt was also acknowledged that Aimeifei’s founding team has been deeply engaged for many years in basic mechanistic research on autoimmune diseases, tumors, and other related conditions. Leveraging novel insights into disease mechanisms, the company has developed global first-in-class innovative drugs, achieving source innovation. The development progress of its core product pipeline ranks among the global leaders, demonstrating strong competitive advantages, broad indications, and significant market potential. The core executive team possesses extensive experience in new drug R&D management, and its senior advisory board comprises a constellation of distinguished experts.
For many years, New Silk Road Financial Holdings has adhered to the investment philosophy of “Rooted in China, with a Global Vision,” focusing on investments in the life sciences sector. We look forward to working alongside Nanjing Aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. to improve the current landscape of treatment for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other conditions in China. We are confident in the company’s rapid future development.
Liu Pengcheng, Co-Head of Healthcare Investment at Han Neng InvestmentIt stated: Aimeifei focuses on the fields of malignant tumors and autoimmune diseases, taking the reconstruction of immune balance as its entry point. It has established a "First-in-Class" pipeline around multiple new targets, developing Class 1 innovative drugs through source innovation. Its R&D progress is at an internationally leading level, making it one of the few innovative pharmaceutical companies in China with a global vision and competitiveness.
The HanNeng team remains bullish on the long-term competitiveness of Nanjing Aimeifei Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd. (Aimeifei), expressing strong alignment with the founding team led by Professor Fan and recognizing their exceptional R&D and execution capabilities. Aimeifei’s R&D pipeline, centered on modulating immune homeostasis, holds a leading position in the field. Robust preclinical data have further substantiated the strong druggability of its pipeline, underscoring its distinct competitive advantages. The rapid closure of this financing round also reflects strong recognition from both the investment community and the industry. With Professor Fan’s leadership and the support of existing and new investors, Aimeifei is poised to achieve significant milestones, accelerate pipeline development, and ultimately benefit a broad patient population.
Lingcheng Venture Capital is a fund management company specializing in innovative oncology drugs. It was honored as one of the “Top 5 Emerging Healthcare Investment Institutions of the Year” at the 2021 Pengcheng Awards. Leveraging its profound understanding of China’s biopharmaceutical industry and its ecosystem resources in clinical research, Lingcheng Venture Capital strategically focuses on revolutionary new technologies and products within the biopharmaceutical sector, while deeply identifying and investing in outstanding early-stage innovative drug companies.
Leading Innovation, Upholding Medical Ethics. Lingcheng Venture Capital adheres to the philosophy of innovation, growing alongside its portfolio companies, empowering Chinese innovative pharmaceutical enterprises with ecosystem and industrial resources, and contributing to the healthy development of China’s biopharmaceutical industry.
Shanghai New Silk Road Wealth Investment Management Co., Ltd. was established in Shanghai, China, in early 2015 and is a private fund management institution registered and filed with the Asset Management Association of China.
New Silk Road Financial Holdings focuses on investments in the life sciences sector, covering multiple sub-sectors including biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. The company aims to support the development of China’s healthcare industry and address unmet patient needs through strategic investments in healthcare and related fields. Its core management team comprises seasoned professionals with medical and pharmaceutical backgrounds and extensive experience in capital markets. Having long been dedicated to the healthcare industry, the team has accumulated rich investment and operational expertise and achieved outstanding investment performance.
New Silk Road Financial Holdings adheres to the philosophy of “Rooted in China, with a Global Vision.” With the vision of becoming “an internationally influential and industry-respected professional investment institution,” it aims to promote the rapid and healthy growth of enterprises through capital infusion and management involvement, thereby playing an active role in advancing the medical industry and fostering its development.