AI-Powered Nanodelivery Leader JetiTech Secures RMB 400 Million Series D Funding and Launches OpenCGT Platform to Address Precision Drug Delivery Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy

China Finance and Economics News, August 4th: Recently, METiS TechBio, the leading innovator in AI nano-delivery, held the unveiling ceremony of the OpenCGT platform and the D-round financing release conference at the Zhongguancun (Daxing) Cell Gene Therapy Industrial Park.

Ren Peng, Chairman and General Manager of Shunxi Management Company, Li Ming, Party Secretary and Chairman of Beijing Daxing District Investment Group Co., Ltd., Li Kai, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Northern Region of COFCO Joy City Holdings Group, Huang Hantao, Deputy General Manager of CICC Capital, Dr. Wang Yongzhong, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rui Zheng Gene, and Dr. Lai Caida, Co-founder and CEO of METiS TechBio, jointly witnessed the milestone moment in the development of METiS TechBio with the attending leaders and guests.

　　Launch of Open CGT Technology Platform Focuses on Pain Points in the Precision Drug Delivery Industry

It is reported that Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) has become the main track for the third generation of drug innovation following small molecule drugs and antibody drugs. In 2024, the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Zhongguan Village Management Committee, and four other departments jointly released the "Three-Year Action Plan for Accelerating the Innovative Development of the Cell and Gene Therapy Industry in Beijing," specifying that "by 2027, Beijing will cultivate more than 20 frontier technology enterprises in the CGT sector, accelerating the formation of a cell and gene therapy industry cluster with international influence."

The METiS TechBio Open CGT Technology Platform, unveiled this time, aims to address the industry pain points of precise drug delivery, reduce development barriers and costs, incubate and empower the research and clinical translation of breakthrough CGT therapies, and help Beijing build a "new engine" for the life and health industry.

Relying on the innovation of AI nano-delivery technology, METiS TechBio's OpenCGT platform aims to connect the high-quality research capabilities of universities in Beijing, resources from large tertiary hospitals, and the entire R&D chain of CGT innovative pharmaceutical companies. The platform has officially launched its first project, empowering PrecisionGene to develop liver-targeted CRISPR gene-editing therapy based on mRNA-LNP.

Rui Zheng Gene focuses on developing in vivo gene editing technologies and products based on LNP and other non-viral vectors, establishing the world's first clinically validated, industry-level, end-to-end in vivo gene editing technology platform. Its novel base editor, ARTbase-A1™, has been granted patents in both China and the United States.

　　Completed D Round Financing of 400 Million Yuan

METiS TechBio Recently Completes Series D Financing. The Total Amount of This Financing is 400 Million RMB, Jointly Led by Beijing Medical and Health Industry Investment Fund and Daxing District Industrial Investment Fund. The funds will accelerate the advancement of several strategic priorities for METiS TechBio, including platform automation upgrades, progress in self-developed product pipelines, deepening international strategic cooperation, and the introduction of high-end talent.

The Beijing Medical and Health Industry Investment Fund ("Beijing Medical and Health Fund") is one of the eight industrial funds approved by the Beijing Municipal Government, focusing on key industrial areas such as innovative drugs and innovative medical devices, as well as emerging industries like cell and gene therapy, and digital healthcare.

Ren Peng, Chairman and General Manager of Shunxi Management Company, stated that pharmaceuticals and health are key to Beijing's innovation development and cultivation of new productive forces. With the recent introduction of Beijing’s action plan to accelerate the promotion of AI + pharmaceuticals and health innovation, the city is leveraging forward-looking strategic vision to deeply integrate AI with pharmaceuticals and health. By empowering industrial upgrading through intelligent technology and leading high-quality development via an innovative ecosystem, Beijing is providing its own solutions for nurturing new productive forces in the biopharmaceutical field. Beijing has established a 20 billion yuan pharmaceuticals and health industry investment fund, focusing on cutting-edge areas such as innovative drugs, innovative medical devices, cell and gene therapy (CGT), and digital healthcare. "The METiS TechBio OpenCGT platform fills a critical gap in the industrial transformation of advanced formulations and delivery systems, helping Beijing become an international CGT industry innovation hub. We look forward to METiS TechBio setting a new benchmark in AI-driven drug development."

Li Ming, Party Secretary and Chairman of Beijing Daxing District Investment Group Co., Ltd., stated that as the new national gateway of the capital, Daxing District has always been firmly committed to developing the biopharmaceuticals industry as the core track for high-quality development, making every effort to establish the China Medicine Valley brand. "The launch of the METiS TechBio-powered OpenCGT platform will not only accelerate the transformation of original innovative achievements but also attract top global talent, technology, and capital to converge in Daxing, further enhancing our international competitiveness in the CGT field."

Huang Hantao, Deputy General Manager of CICC Capital, stated that as an existing shareholder, CICC Capital will continue to empower METiS TechBio in multiple aspects such as R&D collaboration, talent reserve, clinical development, and capital markets. It will accompany METiS TechBio over the long term in leading the revolutionary wave of AI + drug delivery and China's delivery technology innovation, empowering breakthroughs in drug R&D for partners in China and even globally.

"Against the backdrop of China's vigorous promotion of the entire biopharmaceuticals industry, the OpenCGT platform will empower Beijing to build a new force in cell and gene therapy, strengthening the construction of the entire industrial cluster," said Dr. Lai Caida, co-founder and CEO of METiS TechBio. Going forward, the company, positioned at the intersection of nanomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and anti-aging fields, leverages globally leading AI nanomaterial development technology. METiS has integrated AI, quantum chemical simulations, and high-throughput dry and wet experimental platforms to create multi-organ targeted delivery capabilities. It currently possesses the ability to deliver to organs or tissues such as the liver, lungs, muscles, heart, brain, immune organs, and tumors, breaking through key bottlenecks in the CGT drug sector. Additionally, based on a dual-driven business model, the company is collaborating with biotech firms and other partners on platform and pipeline products. Dr. Lai noted that METiS’ fastest pipeline has completed Phase III clinical trials and is now in the NDA submission stage, with several other key pipelines currently in critical clinical stages.