Hicart Therapeutics Completes Over RMB 200 Million Series C Financing to Advance Universal STAR-T and In Vivo Cell Therapy Platforms

2026Year7Month6Recently, BriSTAR Immunotech (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BriSTAR Immunotech”) announced the completion of over2RMB 100 millionCSeries financing round. This round was led by Loyal Valley Capital, with Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation Fund as a co-investor.

This round of financing will be primarily used to advance the development of universalSTAR-TCore ProductsYTS109Registered Clinical Development, AccelerationIn vivo STAR-TPlatform construction, commercialization system establishment, and global intellectual property layout. Upon completion of this financing round, BriSTAR Immunotech will further strengthen its innovation advantages in the field of next-generation cell therapy, accelerating the clinical application of safer, more effective, and more accessible cell therapy products.

Capital Fuels Innovation Translation, Accelerating the Industrialization of Next-Generation Cell Therapies

BriSTAR Immunotech was founded by Professor Lin Xin, a globally renowned immunologist, tenured professor at Tsinghua University, and leading scientist at the Changping National Laboratory.2018Co-founded in [Year], specializing inSTAR-TResearch and translation of the technology and universal site-specific integration platform, focusing on major unmet clinical needs in areas such as oncology and severe autoimmune diseases, committed to developing innovative cell therapy products that combine efficacy, safety, and accessibility.

As a long-term value investment institution in China, Fangzheng Xingu Capital, the lead investor, continues to focus on biopharmaceutical companies with source innovation capabilities and global competitive potential. Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation leverages Fudan University’s profound scientific research and industrial resources to actively promote the transformation of original technological achievements into practical applications. This investment not only reflects the capital market’s recognition of BriSTAR Immunotech’s technological innovation capabilities and industrialization prospects but will also provide sustained support for the company’s future development.

Since its establishment, BriSTAR Immunotech has continuously improved its R&D system and industrialization capabilities, forming a complete innovation chain covering basic research, process development, clinical translation, and manufacturing. The company has cumulatively raised over5hundred million yuan, with its R&D strength and product pipeline progress widely recognized by the industry.

Technological Innovation Drives Development, Clinical Data Continuously Validates Value

In recent years, the cell therapy industry has entered a phase of rapid development. With the continuous expansion of the global market and accelerated strategic positioning by large multinational pharmaceutical companies, cell therapy has become one of the most innovative and dynamic sectors in the biopharmaceutical field. However, traditional autologous cell therapies generally face challenges such as lengthy manufacturing cycles, high production costs, and limitations in scalability. Off-the-shelf cell therapy andIn vivoIn vivo in situ cell therapy has thus become a key breakthrough focus for the global industry.

Leveraging the original scientific research achievements of Tsinghua University and the Changping National Laboratory, BriSTAR Immunotech has constructedSTAR-TTechnical platform, universal targeted integration technology platform, andIn vivo STAR-TTechnical Platform, establishing a comprehensive technical framework covering both current-stage and next-generation cell therapies. Currently, the company has laid out more than ten innovative product pipelines, covering areas such as hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases, and has obtained2Item ChinaINDClinical Trial Approval and1ItemFDAOrphan Drug Designation.

Among them,STAR-TTechnologyInnovative IntegrationCARAdvantages of Antigen Recognition andTCRNatural signal transduction mechanism, which retains highly efficient antigen recognition capability while possessing naturalTCRSignal-mediated low background activation characteristics can effectively reduce the risk of non-specific activation independent of target antigens. Meanwhile,STAR-Tdemonstrating higher antigen recognition sensitivity, more thorough target cell clearance, and stronger tissue infiltration capabilities, showing good application potential in complex disease scenarios such as solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. Relevant basic research results have been published in "Science》《Cell》Sub-journal.

SupportingUniversal Site-Specific Integration Technology PlatformBy employing gene editing and site-specific integration strategies, this approach enables precise insertion of exogenous genes at designated loci, thereby avoiding the genomic insertion risks associated with traditional lentiviral random integration and further enhancing product safety and consistency. Building on this foundation, the platform facilitates standardized production and large-scale manufacturing of cell therapies, holding the promise of significantly reducing production costs and improving treatment accessibility. Compared to traditional personalized preparation models, this technology offers greater potential for industrialization and commercialization, providing crucial support for the widespread application of cell therapies.

Based on the aforementioned core technology platforms, BriSTAR Immunotech has developed targetedCD19Universal TypeSTAR-TProductYTS109, and pioneered clinical research in the field of severe autoimmune diseases. Relevant research findings have been published in top-tier international medical journals 《Nature Medicine》。

In the recent period2026Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR), the company announcedYTS109Interim Clinical Results in the Treatment of Multiple Severe Autoimmune Diseases. The data demonstrate that the product exhibits positive efficacy and a favorable safety profile in indications such as systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, laying a solid foundation for subsequent registrational clinical development.

LayoutIn vivo STAR-TPlatform, Leading the Direction of Next-Generation Cell Therapy Development

While advancing its mature product pipeline into the clinical development stage, BriSTAR Immunotech is actively laying out its next-generation cell therapy technology platform—In vivo STAR-T。

This platform, with its matureSTAR-TBuilt on a core structure and integrating proprietary technologies such as in vivo delivery and in situ cell modification, this approach enables direct completion within the patient’s body, without the need for peripheral blood collection or ex vivo cell culture and expansion.TCell Engineering. Benefiting fromSTAR-TPlatform inherentlyTCRSignal-mediated safety advantages, with effects primarily confined to the targetTcell populations, which can reduce the risk of off-target cell editing; meanwhile,STAR-TIts high-sensitivity antigen recognition capability, strong tissue infiltration ability, and excellent functional persistence also make it suitable for conductingIn vivoOne of the ideal technological platforms for cell therapy development.

Compared with traditional cell therapy models,In vivo STAR-TIt is expected to significantly simplify treatment processes, shorten treatment cycles, and reduce overall costs, while further enhancing the accessibility and coverage of cell therapy, thereby driving the evolution of cell therapy from an “ex vivo manufacturing” model to an “in vivo generation” model. Currently, the company is continuously advancing related technology research, development, and validation efforts, actively building long-term technological barriers.

Continuously Promoting the Popularization of Cell Therapy to Benefit Patients Worldwide

BriSTAR ImmunotechCEODr. Zhao Xueqiang stated, “We appreciate the trust and support from Vertex Capital and Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation. This round of financing will help the company accelerate the advancement of”YTS109Registration for Clinical Development, and Continuous ImprovementIn vivo STAR-TTechnical Platform Development. In the future, we will continue to advance the research and development of innovative products in the fields of oncology and autoimmune diseases, driving cell therapy toward greater efficacy, improved accessibility, and broader clinical application, thereby enabling more patients to benefit from cutting-edge innovative therapies.

Zhengxin Valley Capital stated, “We are optimistic about BriSTAR Immunotech’s original technological advantages accumulated over the long term in the field of cell therapy, as well as the team’s excellent R&D translation capabilities.”YTS109The clinical potential demonstrated in the field of autoimmune diseases, andIn vivo STAR-T"The next-generation technological direction represented by the platform reflects the company's continuous innovation capabilities. We look forward to accompanying enterprises in their growth and jointly promoting innovative cell therapy products to benefit more patients."

Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation stated: “Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation remains optimistic about BriSTAR Immunotech’s original technological advantages and long-term development potential in the field of cell therapy. The company possesses globally leadingSTAR-TTechnical Platform and Universal Targeted Integration Technology Platform, First-in-Class PipelineYTS109Demonstrates positive clinical data in the field of autoimmune diseases, with a high degree of certainty for successful drug development;In vivo STAR-TThe platform further represents the developmental direction of next-generation cell therapy.”

In the future, BriSTAR Immunotech will continue to adhere to independent innovation, focusing on universal cell therapy andIn vivoContinued investment in research and development for the strategic direction of cell therapy, building a globally competitive innovation platform for cell therapy to provide patients with more safe, effective, and affordable treatment options.

About Loyal Valley Capital

Zhengxin Valley has always adhered to“Long-Term Commitment, Focus, and Altruism”investment philosophy, dedicated to building China’s premier investment research and post-investment management teams. Covering three key sectors—technology manufacturing, healthcare, and tech-driven consumer goods—we leverage in-depth industry research and proactive post-investment value creation to partner with outstanding entrepreneurs. Together, we aim to build great enterprises that embody the future growth trajectory of China’s economy and create lasting value for society.

About Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation

Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation aligns with the new phase of national strategic demands for cultivating emerging and future industries. It focuses on hard-tech sectors that leverage “Fudan’s strengths to meet national needs,” identifying and investing in high-growth projects with strong potential. By effectively linking resources through investment, it aims to build an “ecosystem” and “network” for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements at Fudan University. Through managing funds such as the Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation Fund of Funds, the Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation Investment Fund, and the Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation Overseas Investment Fund, Fudan Sci-Tech Innovation leverages the multiplier effect of fund-of-funds structures in synergy with the incubation of scientist-led projects. It prioritizes breakthroughs in critical technologies where China faces bottlenecks (“chokepoint” technologies) and the translation of cutting-edge scientific advancements, giving precedence to the industrialization of Fudan’s scientific outcomes and alumni-led innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, thereby creating powerful nuclei for innovation.

About BriSTAR Immunotech

BriSTAR Immunotech was established in2018In 2018, the company was founded under the leadership of Professor Lin Xin, a globally renowned immunologist. Based on originalSTAR-Ttechnology platform and universal targeted integration technology platform, developing innovative cell therapy products for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Currently obtained2Item: ChinaINDClinical Trial Approval and1ItemFDAOrphan Drug Designation; nearly 100 exploratory clinical studies conducted cumulatively, with related achievements selected multiple timesASH、EHA、AACR、EULARand other prestigious international academic conferences. The company is committed to building a globally competitive innovative platform for cell therapy, providing patients with more innovative treatment options.

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