Biotrong Bio Completes Series A Financing to Accelerate Commercial-Scale CDMO Capabilities in Gene and Cell Therapy
On April 16, 2021, Suzhou Porton Biologics Ltd. (“Porton Biologics”), a subsidiary of Chongqing Porton Pharma Solutions Co., Ltd. (stock abbreviation: Porton Pharma; stock code: 300363) specializing in gene and cell therapy, announced the completion of its Series A financing round, raising a total of RMB 400 million. The round was jointly invested by prominent industry investors including SDIC Merchants Investment Management, GL Ventures, HM CAPITAL, Huashan Ruilian, and Shijie Investment.
Porton Biologics specializes in gene and cell therapy services. Its Phase I GMP facility completed validation and commenced operations in November 2020, meeting the needs for process development and clinical manufacturing of plasmid, viral, and cellular products. The funds from this financing round will be primarily used for the construction and operational expenses of Porton Biologics’ Phase II commercial production base, accelerating the development of AAV processes and GMP manufacturing capabilities for its gene therapy business. This will comprehensively increase the production capacity for GMP-grade plasmids, viruses, and cell therapy products, expedite the establishment of Porton Biologics’ end-to-end CDMO service platform for gene and cell therapies, and support the development of gene and cell therapy drugs.
“This round of financing will further bolster Porton Biologics’ capability building and capacity layout in the gene and cell therapy sector,” said Mr. Ju Nianfeng, Chairman of Porton Pharma Solutions and CEO of Porton Biologics. “Strategic investments from top-tier industry investors have opened up new opportunities for Porton Biologics. We are committed to accelerating the development of an integrated gene and cell therapy service platform spanning drug discovery, process development, and manufacturing, thereby delivering efficient and high-quality services to our clients and driving the rapid advancement of gene and cell therapies in China and globally. Leveraging our exceptional team, robust management systems, and hardware facilities that meet international standards, Porton Biologics is dedicated to establishing an integrated gene and cell therapy technology platform to provide global customers with an excellent service experience, ensuring that beneficial medicines reach patients sooner.”
About Porton Biologics
Porton Biologics focuses on gene and cell therapy. Building on the successful experience of Porton Pharma Solutions, it centers on world-class professional talent, adheres to the service principle of “Customer First,” and upholds the brand philosophy of “Compliance, Professionalism, Focus, and Open Collaboration.” It leverages the parent company’s robust intellectual property protection and project management mechanisms, as well as its comprehensive quality management system. By fully utilizing the core team’s proven expertise in advancing gene and cell therapy products from clinical development to market approval, Porton Biologics delivers high-quality and efficient services to global clients, enabling innovative medicines to benefit patients sooner.
About Porton Pharma
Chongqing Porton Pharma Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (stock abbreviation: Porton Pharma; stock code: 300363) was established in July 2005. As a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in China, it is dedicated to providing customized R&D and manufacturing services for chemical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), chemical formulations, and biologics throughout the entire product lifecycle—from preclinical research to commercialization—for global pharmaceutical companies and new drug R&D institutions. The company operates through branches and subsidiaries in China (Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Yichun, Suzhou, and Hong Kong), the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with a global workforce of over 2,600 employees.
About SDIC Merchants
SDIC Investment Promotion focuses on investments in the advanced manufacturing industry, emphasizing technological innovation and the value of outstanding entrepreneurs and teams. It prioritizes investments in fields such as intelligent manufacturing, new energy intelligent vehicles, life sciences, and information and communications technology (ICT), committing to promoting the green, digital, and service-oriented development of the manufacturing sector. The team manages cumulative assets exceeding RMB 100 billion, with investors including financial institutions, the National Social Security Fund, and both state-owned and private capital.
About GL Ventures
GL Ventures is the venture capital fund under Hillhouse Capital that focuses on early-stage innovative companies. It primarily invests in four key sectors: biopharmaceuticals and medical devices, software and hard technology, consumer internet and technology, and emerging consumer brands and services. Biopharmaceuticals and medical devices have long been a core investment focus for Hillhouse. Over the past decade, Hillhouse has invested in more than 200 leading enterprises in the fields of biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. We aim to partner with companies as “friends of time,” jointly driving innovation and development in the broader healthcare sector to benefit more patients.
About HM CAPITAL
HM Capital is a fund focused on healthcare investment. Leveraging the ecosystem advantages of Asian private equity giants and top-tier international medical institutions, it invests in the healthcare ecosystem through multi-dimensional and comprehensive strategies. Committed to building an industrial investment platform with global vision and local execution capabilities, HM Capital helps early-stage and growth-stage healthcare companies achieve rapid development.
About Huashan Ruilian
Nanjing Ruilian Management Consulting Partnership (Limited Partnership) is a limited partnership established by Huashan Ruilian Fund Management Co., Ltd. (“Huashan Ruilian,” formerly known as Huatai Ruilian Fund Management Co., Ltd.), a private equity fund manager, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary. Huashan Ruilian manages assets exceeding RMB 15 billion, with primary investment focus on the healthcare, high-end manufacturing, and consumer sectors.
About Shijie Investment
Beijing Shijie Investment Management Co., Ltd. is a specialized private equity fund focused on the life and health industry. Its investors include listed companies such as Getein Biotech and Nanjing Iron & Steel, as well as Nanjing Jiangbei Science and Technology Investment Group and other prominent industrial enterprises and leading investment institutions.