Aoyin Medical Advances Over 20 Projects Leveraging Mass Cytometry-Based Tissue Imaging for Precision Oncology
Compared with traditional cell analysis techniques based on fluorescent molecular labeling, Mass Cytometry is a revolutionary new technology that not only overcomes the signal crossover and overlap caused by fluorescent labels but also significantly increases the upper limit of the number of protein types that can be labeled in a single assay.
Mass cytometry is a novel technology that integrates flow cytometry with mass spectrometry. Its origins can be traced back to a 2009 academic paper that first described the principles and related algorithms of this technique. By replacing fluorescent labels with metal-tagged (isotope-labeled) antibodies, mass cytometry combines the high-resolution capabilities of mass spectrometric detection with the high-throughput analysis characteristic of conventional flow cytometers, representing a new direction in the development of flow cytometry technology.
The application of mass cytometry technology for clinical development is also an emerging sector, and Aoyin Medical is precisely such a platform-based company. The company has built an analytical platform for tissue imaging using mass cytometry technology and collaborates with clinicians in various departments to jointly explore and develop valuable diagnostic assays. In addition to its mass cytometry tissue imaging platform, the company offers a comprehensive mass spectrometry portfolio, including imaging mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), developing corresponding diagnostic products to address frontline clinical challenges.
Aoyin Medical was founded by Mr. Sun Bing in January 2019. The company invested RMB 250 million to build a research and development base covering 27 mu in the Life Science Town of Jiangning District, Nanjing. The company operates its own mass spectrometry platform, mass cytometry plus tissue imaging platform, and bioinformatics service platform. In collaboration with Novogene’s sequencing platform and Singleron’s single-cell platform, it has established an in-depth partnership encompassing experimental design consultation, standardized data acquisition, and personalized data mining.
Aoyin Medical is a high-tech life sciences company specializing in cell science research, technical services, and the commercialization of scientific achievements, integrating industry, academia, and research. The company is dedicated to finding solutions for unmet clinical needs, adopting a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to multi-omics rather than focusing solely on genetics. The Chief of the Medical Department holds a Ph.D. from Peking University, studied under Professor Wang Yun (a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars) at Peking University’s School of Basic Medical Sciences, and previously served as Medical Manager at Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics. The Sales Director completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees consecutively at Peking University, bringing five years of study and work experience in the United States, along with prior roles as R&D Manager at GSK and Director of Scientific Research Services for five years.
Aoyin Biological Laboratory
The Company’s Three Major Platforms:Mass Spectrometry Platform、Mass Cytometry + Tissue Imaging Platform、Bioinformatics Service PlatformEach platform is established by experts in their respective fields. The head of the Mass Spectrometry Platform is a postdoctoral fellow from Purdue University, who studied under Academician Zhang Yukui and has 15 years of experience in mass spectrometry application and development. The head of the Mass Cytometry and Tissue Imaging Platform studied under Zhang Xuejun, President of Anhui Medical University, and Zhou Hong from Nanjing Medical University, and has 7 years of experience in flow cytometry application and development. The Bioinformatics Service Platform is led by two chiefs: one is a postdoctoral fellow from the University of Michigan, and the other completed his Ph.D. at the age of 25 under the supervision of Zhou Tianhua, Vice President of Zhejiang University.
Leveraging these three major technology platforms, Aoyin Medical primarily empowers scenarios in precision oncology diagnosis and treatment. In the field of cancer care, currently, no more than 30% of patients can be fully cured, while the remaining 70% still fail to benefit from existing therapies. Clinical trials are required to investigate the underlying reasons why patients do not fully benefit from anticancer therapies.
Aoyin Medical’s mass cytometry technology enables the simultaneous analysis of over 40 cellular parameters at the single-cell level, including proteins, nucleic acids, and even small molecules. By applying this technology to perform cytological analysis of patients’ tumor microenvironments, it facilitates patient stratification and management, allowing for targeted therapies based on different etiologies. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also alleviates the financial burden of treatment. Precise patient stratification is the first step toward precision medication, ensuring therapeutic accuracy. This helps alleviate patient suffering while reducing policy costs for insurance providers, thereby creating benefits for multiple stakeholders.
Aoyin Biological Laboratory
Furthermore, this technology can be applied to prognostic assessment in cancer patients. The intratumoral landscape varies among individuals, and tumor cells exhibit heterogeneous responses to therapeutic agents. As one of the most complex systems in the human body, the immune system maintains a state of dynamic equilibrium. To elucidate the interactions between tumor cells and the immune system and to monitor immune status, massive analysis at the cellular level is required, which is precisely where mass cytometry (CyTOF) demonstrates its significant utility.
The application scenarios of the Aoyin Medical Technology Platform extend beyond patient stratification and prognosis assessment to include therapy selection—conducting specific efficacy evaluations before a treatment is finalized, thereby helping patients identify the most effective tumor immunotherapy. Collaboration with Aoyin Biologics is primarily conducted through scientific research cooperation services, whereby the company partners with clients possessing both the willingness and capability for research to jointly address specific issues in the healthcare sector, leveraging its specialized platform as the foundation for collaboration.
Scientific research collaboration is merely the first step. Aoyin Company will further develop the outcomes achieved through such collaborations, transforming them into products suitable for clinical application, with the aim of providing tangible and effective assistance to patients both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, a semi-open database will be established using the data generated during this process, offering researchers in the field higher-quality tools and resources.
Notably, Aoyin Medical operates China’s exclusive IMC commercial platform, with senior scientists leading teams across various disciplines. This enables the company to provide personalized services and conduct in-depth data mining, thereby increasing the likelihood of advancing scientific achievements into product commercialization. Furthermore, the company has its own incubation system, offering distinct advantages in sample generation and commercial operations.
Currently, based on this business model, Aoyin Medical has established over 20 clinical collaborations with several medical institutions, represented by Jiangsu Province People’s Hospital. The company is developing precise diagnostic test kits for diseases such as gastric cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, focusing on the production of diagnostic products that address frontline clinical challenges.
Looking ahead, Dr. Sun Baonan, Sales Director, also stated that Aoyin Medical will launch another world-leading scientific research technology platform in 2021. Meanwhile, approximately 20 products are expected to receive approval for market release. The company anticipates establishing two subsidiary companies focused on specialized product segments within about three years, and will continue to replicate this model of rapid expansion.
Currently, Aoyin Medical is undergoing its angel round of financing, and we believe that good news will soon follow. The funds raised in this round will primarily be used to advance the development and market launch of its core candidate products, as well as for new product research and development and talent acquisition.