Qihan Biotechology Co. Ltd., a company known for its multiplexable genome editing technology, has yet again extended its series A financing, this time with a $67 million round that will support advancement of its allogeneic cell therapy candidates to IND in China. To date the company has raised more than $100 million.
HONG KONG – Bispecific antibody startup Epimab Biotherapeutics Inc. has completed a $120 million series C financing, bringing it closer to a potential IPO next year. The Shanghai-based company said the new funds would help it move EMB-01 into phase II testing this year.
While historical data suggest venture capital rounds will eventually dip below the peak years, biopharma financings completed in recent months indicate the dollars are continuing to climb in 2021. A maturing industry, the high potential of cell and gene therapy products, the advancing technologies of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as an eager financial community, are all responsible for the ever-increasing availability of private money.
Biopharmas in Asia-Pacific raising money in public or private financings, including: Beigene, Boston Immune Technologies and Therapeutics, Connect, I-Mab, Innoforce, Neoimmunetech, Noxopharm, Nyrada, Tavotek.
Chinese eye disease specialist Arctic Vision Biotechnology Co. Ltd. raised more than $100 million in a series B financing round. The clinical-stage company will use the funds to initiate a phase III trial for its core asset, ARVN-001 (triamcinolone acetonide suprachoroidal injectable suspension), for uveitic macular edema in China this year.
Four years after leaving the Nasdaq, Sciclone Pharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd. returned to the market March 3, issuing 116 million shares to raise HK$2.18 billion (US$281 million) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). Shares were priced at HK$18.8 each.