WillingMed Completes Tens of Millions RMB Angel Funding Round, Focusing on Clinical Infectious Pathogen Diagnostics

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) recently learned that WILLINGMED has completed an angel round of financing amounting to tens of millions of yuan, exclusively led by Mifang Capital. The proceeds will be primarily used to deploy a series of clinical diagnostic products for infectious pathogens based on high-throughput metagenomic sequencing technology, and to carry out research and development as well as regulatory registration for pathogen metagenomic testing products.

WILLINGMED specializes in the detection of pathogenic microorganisms responsible for clinical infections. The company has established two major technological platforms—ultra-broad-spectrum metagenomics and ultra-rapid microfluidic chips—to develop a portfolio of diagnostic products for clinical infectious pathogens, addressing the critical need for precise pathogen diagnosis in current clinical practice. With nearly 20 years of deep expertise in the field of pathogenic microbial infection diagnostics, the founding team was among the first practitioners in China in this sector. They previously led a research team to develop industry-leading metagenomic pathogen detection products based on next-generation high-throughput sequencing platforms. These products achieved top rankings in comparative assessments conducted by national authoritative institutions and have earned an excellent reputation through successful market translation and application.

Dr. Zhang Yan, the founder, has dedicated nearly two decades to the research and development of cutting-edge technologies and their clinical translation. With extensive experience in R&D management for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, he previously served as Dean of the Institute of Translational Medicine at CapitalBio Corporation and as Technical R&D Director of the Scientific Research Management Center at CapitalBio Jingdian. He has developed and commercialized more than 20 patented technological products, including metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for pathogens, gene chips for diagnostics, and cell chips for drug screening. As the primary inventor, he has been granted 13 invention patents. This year alone, he has published four SCI-indexed articles on molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases as the first or corresponding author.

In the field of molecular diagnostics for pathogenic microorganisms, Dr. Zhang Yan has led and witnessed the rapid development of metagenomics in recent years. Leveraging his extensive experience in metagenomic testing for infectious diseases, he co-founded WILLINGMED with his long-time partner, Dr. Gai Wei.

Dr. Gai Wei, a Senior Engineer, was recognized as an Outstanding Young Core Talent by the Organization Department of the Beijing Municipal Committee and named a Rising Star in Science and Technology. He specializes in the research and development of novel molecular diagnostic technologies for clinical infectious pathogens and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products. Over the years, he has led his team in developing a series of pathogen detection products based on technologies such as metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). In 2019 alone, he published three articles in the field of pathogenic microorganism detection.

Infectious disease testing represents a vast market. WILLINGMED’s metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for infectious pathogens offers extensive coverage, encompassing over 24,000 detection indicators, including 9,218 types of bacteria, 9,194 types of viruses, 721 types of fungi, 180 types of parasites, 120 types of mycobacteria, 102 types of mycoplasma and chlamydia, 96 types of rickettsia, 1,766 types of archaea, 2,500 antibiotic resistance genes, and 500 virulence factors.

Unlike traditional molecular diagnostic techniques for pathogens, metagenomic testing for infectious pathogens is unbiased, enabling the extraction and analysis of all genetic material present in a target sample. This approach offers vast application potential and an immeasurable future market. Dr. Zhang Yan stated, “There are still many pain points in clinical infection diagnosis that urgently need to be addressed; therefore, the market for metagenomic diagnostic products for pathogenic microorganisms is substantial, with broad development prospects. I believe that within the next few years, the annual volume of samples undergoing metagenomic testing for infectious pathogens will reach one million.”

In addition to focusing on the application, registration, and certification of midstream products, Dr. Zhang Yan stated that the company will also make strategic investments across the upstream and downstream segments of the infection diagnostics sector. Upstream, WILLINGMED will independently develop sequencers, supporting reagents, software, and other related products; the development of its next-generation database and software has already been completed. Downstream, the company will focus on providing medical testing services centered around its diagnostic products, promoting them in nearly 200 hospitals across China to effectively help clinicians address numerous complex and challenging infectious disease cases.

“Metagenomic pathogen detection products based on groundbreaking revolutionary technology can serve as a powerful tool for diagnosing difficult and complex infections, effectively addressing the clinical challenge of ‘elusive pathogens.’” stated Dr. Zhang Yan. “WILLINGMED will continue to provide the best products and services to clinical practice, striving to become a leader in the infectious disease diagnostics industry.”

Dr. Zhang Yan, Founder and CEO of WILLINGMED

In the future, WILLINGMED will establish a reagent R&D center, an equipment R&D center, and GMP-compliant production facilities in Beijing, and will build medical testing laboratories across China to comprehensively provide clinical metagenomic pathogen detection services.

Liang Zhanchao, Partner at Mifang Capital, stated: “Pathogen detection will become another major battleground for next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, following genetic testing for hereditary diseases and tumor genetic testing. WILLINGMED is the only team in China that has been deeply engaged in the field of infectious diseases for over two decades. With a proven track record in developing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products for various pathogenic microorganisms, the company has accumulated a robust technical system and profound expertise in interdisciplinary fields such as infectious pathogen biology, molecular biology, automation technology, bioinformatics, and high-throughput sequencing—particularly in metagenomic pathogen detection. We believe that, leveraging its solid foundation and strong innovation capabilities, the WILLINGMED team will better apply high-throughput sequencing platforms to clinical ultra-broad-spectrum pathogen detection. The company is poised to become a leading enterprise in the infectious disease diagnostics industry, delivering valuable services to more hospitals and patients.”

Mifang Capital focuses on investments in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and life sciences sectors. Headquartered in Shanghai, it is a founding member of the Biopharmaceutical Professional Committee of the Beijing Venture Capital Alliance and the Shanghai Life Health Industry Investment Alliance. The fund’s management team possesses deep expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, along with extensive venture capital experience.

To date, Meifang Capital has invested in more than twenty emerging companies in the biopharmaceutical sector, including TianGuangShi (antibody drugs), Jingzhun Medical (molecular diagnostics), Bohui Ruijin (biomaterials), SinoMicro (surgical instruments), Hanyu Medical (cardiac interventional devices), Ansong Technology (orthopedic devices), Jiajian Medicine (gene sequencing), Qiuzhen Medicine (genetic testing), Lingke Pharmaceuticals (new drug R&D), Zanrong Pharma (new drug R&D), Chengyi Biologics (new drug R&D), and Taili Biologics (new drug R&D). Meifang Capital has diligently established the “Me-fund Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Capital Hub,” which brings together numerous listed companies, experts, executives, and investment institutions from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. This platform will effectively facilitate resource matching and accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies.