Laekna Announces $18.5 Million Series A Financing Led by OrbiMed Asia

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned on June 4 that Laekna Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of innovative drugs with clinical-stage products, announced today the completion of an $18.5 million Series A financing round, led by OrbiMed Asia Partners and participated by Anlong Fund and others.

This round of financing will be primarily used to advance new drug candidates in the research pipeline and expand the product portfolio. Laekna Therapeutics has three novel anti-tumor drugs in Phase I-II clinical development, primarily targeting mid-to-late stage cancers, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and gastric cancer. These candidates are currently undergoing Phase I-II clinical trials in multiple regions across Europe and the United States.

Laike has also begun applying for clinical trial approvals in China, with full-scale launch expected by the end of the year. Laike is also conducting early-stage R&D of novel drugs for oncology and liver diseases, including therapeutic areas such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and liver fibrosis. These innovative drug products are independently developed with proprietary intellectual property rights, aiming to meet patient needs through cutting-edge pharmaceutical technologies.

“We are honored to have earned the recognition of OrbiMed Asia, a world-leading specialized investment fund in the biopharmaceutical sector, and Anlong Life Sciences Fund, a venture capital fund under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. We thank our investors for their affirmation of Laekna Therapeutics’ vision, technology, and team,” said Dr. Lv Xiangyang, Founder and CEO of Laekna Therapeutics. “The strong support from OrbiMed Asia and Anlong Fund will help us deepen our early-stage R&D efforts and accelerate the clinical development of our existing product candidates. We strive to contribute more high-quality and innovative medicines to patients and society in the near future.”

“Dr. Lv Xiangyang is a leader with extensive experience in new drug development, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to support his team in developing urgently needed medicines for patients worldwide,” said Dr. Wang Jian, Founding Partner and Senior Managing Director of OrbiMed Asia. “We will fully leverage OrbiMed’s global platform, network, and resources to support the development of Laekna Therapeutics.”

About Laekna Therapeutics

Laekna Therapeutics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was established in December 2016. Located in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Shanghai, the company is an innovative enterprise dedicated to the research and development (R&D) of novel drugs. Laekna Therapeutics distinguishes itself in the R&D of next-generation small-molecule and antibody-based targeted therapies. Dr. Lv Xiangyang, Founder and CEO, along with the management team, has extensive experience holding R&D and managerial positions at renowned pharmaceutical companies both domestically and internationally. They have conducted in-depth research into the biological mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and molecular signaling pathways, hold multiple international invention patents, and have personally participated in and facilitated the approval and market launch of several new drugs. The company’s young and creative R&D team received years of training in new drug discovery and development at well-known multinational pharmaceutical companies prior to joining Laekna Therapeutics. Under the leadership of the core management team, they continue to develop breakthrough novel therapies to benefit patients, establishing an internationally leading R&D platform for liver diseases and oncology.

About OrbiMed Asia

OrbiMed was founded in 1989 and is the world’s largest investment firm dedicated exclusively to the healthcare and life sciences sector, with approximately $13 billion in assets under management. OrbiMed has invested in around 500 companies worldwide, spanning biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics, and healthcare services, with investments covering all stages from start-up and growth to mature and post-IPO companies. OrbiMed Asia manages three venture capital and private equity funds focused on Asia, with a combined size of approximately $1.1 billion. It has invested in nearly 50 outstanding healthcare companies, including Zai Lab (NASDAQ: ZLAB), AmoyDx (SZSE: 300685), AK Medical Holdings (HKEX: 01789), ForteBio (acquired by Pall Corporation), BioDuro-Sundia (TWSE: 6554), Angelalign, GenScript, and CTTQ.

About Anlong Fund

Anlong Fund is a venture capital fund focused on early-stage life sciences and healthcare in China. The fund’s managing partner, Dr. Chunlin Zhao, brings three decades of industry experience and leads a professional team with expertise spanning multinational corporations, domestic and international R&D, clinical development, successful entrepreneurship, and investment. The Chinese Academy of Sciences serves as the fund’s cornerstone investor. Leveraging extensive experience and deep networks at institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Peking Union Medical College, and the Baihua Association, Anlong Fund is a powerful resource and strategic partner for entrepreneurs in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Anlong Fund I has invested in 22 companies, including Kehui Innovation, a new drug R&D incubator collaborating with Pfizer, and four companies co-founded with entrepreneurs, covering the fields of life sciences, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services.