Exclusive: Hopstem Biotech Secures First Close of Nearly RMB 200 Million Series C Financing to Accelerate Development of Core iPSC‑Derived Neuronal Cell Therapy Products

According to VCBeat, on August 10, 2026, Zhejiang Hopstem Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Hopstem Biotech) announced the first close of its nearly RMB 200‑million Series C financing. This financing round was jointly participated by new investors Tasly Capital, Haibang Capital, Guangzhou Health Industry Investment, as well as existing investor Longmen Capital.

Dr. Fan Jing, Founder of Hopstem Biotech, stated: "Building on positive Phase I clinical results for ischemic stroke‑induced hemiplegia sequelae, hNPC01, the world's first forebrain neural progenitor cell injection developed by the company, has recently been granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation and Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the FDA for cerebral ischemia indication. Its investigational new drug (IND) approval and Fast Track status have also been secured for indications of chronic motor dysfunction caused by hemorrhagic stroke and motor dysfunction due to traumatic brain injury. These milestones fully validate the company's strategic focus on addressing major unmet clinical needs, as well as the advanced nature of its platform technology. Proceeds from this financing round will be deployed to accelerate clinical development across multiple product indications and prepare for commercial‑scale manufacturing. We are delighted to partner with more professional partners at this critical stage of the company's accelerated growth, to bring differentiated innovative iPSC‑derived cell therapies to global patients with neurological diseases in urgent need."

Ji Haibin, Managing Partner at Tasly Capital, stated: "Tasly Capital keeps a close eye on innovative tracks with significant unmet clinical needs. Existing therapeutic options for patients with stroke sequelae are extremely limited, and stable‑phase hemiplegia represents a global clinical gap. Hopstem Biotech's hNPC01 directly addresses this unmet need, delivering positive Phase I efficacy results. It has obtained FDA RMAT designation and IND approval for expanded indications, which validates the clinical potential of iPSC‑derived neural cell therapy in the field of neural repair. We look forward to Hopstem Biotech's products benefiting patients worldwide at an early date."

Shan Jialiang, Managing Partner at Haibang Investment, stated: "Stable‑phase hemiplegia following stroke represents a massive unmet clinical need, imposing heavy psychological and family‑related burdens on patients who demonstrate strong willingness to receive treatment. We are pleased to observe that hNPC01 injection developed by Hopstem Biotech has delivered positive and sustained therapeutic outcomes in dozens of clinical patients. It has recently consecutively obtained RMAT designation and two IND approvals for new indications from the U.S. FDA. We look forward to this product benefiting patients across the globe in the near future."

Feng Zhizhong, General Manager of Guangzhou Health Industry Investment, stated: "Leveraging its proprietary iPSC platform, Hopstem Biotech has built a globally‑leading neural cell therapy pipeline. Its product hNPC01 boasts first‑mover clinical advantages in China as well as FDA Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation. It delivers substantial value for major unmet clinical needs such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, with prominent technical barriers and commercialization prospects. Guangzhou Health Industry Investment firmly believes in the long‑term growth opportunities within the regenerative medicine sector. This investment will fully empower the enterprise to accelerate clinical development and industrial implementation. Drawing continuously on the industrial ecosystem resources of the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou Health Industry Investment will facilitate the translation of domestically‑originated innovative cell‑therapy achievements and drive high‑quality development of China's domestic CGT industry."

Wang Haining, Founding Partner at Longmen Capital, stated: "This marks our third investment in Hopstem Biotech. There are tens of millions of patients suffering from post‑stroke paralysis in China, and effective therapeutic drugs have long been lacking. In clinical trials, hNPC01 has demonstrated favorable safety and groundbreaking therapeutic efficacy, representing tremendous clinical value and market opportunities. Meanwhile, the company owns multiple leading pipelines within the CNS field. We believe Hopstem Biotech will grow into one of the world‑class enterprises in the iPSC and CNS therapeutic space."

Zhejiang Hopstem Biotechnology Co., Ltd., founded in January 2017, is a global‑oriented innovative biotechnology company focused on developing iPSC‑derived off‑the‑shelf cell‑therapy products. The group operates cell‑drug R&D centers, GMP‑compliant cell‑manufacturing workshops, quality‑control centers and office sites totaling 6,400 square meters across Hangzhou and Shanghai. Hopstem Biotech holds globally leading patents and proprietary technological advantages in iPSC reprogramming, neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and multiple cell‑engineering disciplines. It has built a CMC platform for iPSC‑derived cell products featuring closed‑automated manufacturing workflows and multiple innovative analytical assays. The company has established GMP‑grade iPSC cell lines available for commercial licensing both domestically and overseas, together with multiple product candidates in development. Its lead product, hNPC01 injection consisting of human forebrain neural progenitor cells, is among the earliest iPSC‑based cell products to secure IND approvals in both China and the United States and boasts the fastest‑paced international development trajectory among comparable candidates. Having completed Phase I clinical trials, hNPC01 has obtained FDA Fast Track designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation, targeting major unmet medical needs including stroke, sequelae of traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and epilepsy.