• Neurophth Therapeutics

  Participated · Series C · Aug 2023

  Neurophth Therapeutics develops AAV-based gene therapies for ophthalmic diseases, including advanced investigational programs such as NR082 for ND4-LHON. Its AAV platform has been validated by data from an investigator-initiated retinal gene therapy study. NR082 has received orphan drug designation from both the U.S. FDA and the EMA. The company’s pipeline also includes programs for autosomal dominant optic atrophy, optic neuroprotection, vascular retinopathy and other preclinical candidates. Neurophth has subsidiaries in China (Wuhan, Shanghai and Suzhou) and the U.S. (San Diego, CA) and is led by founder, chairman and CEO Bin Li. The firm intends to use the new proceeds to accelerate clinical trials, enhance R&D capabilities and expand its pipeline. Neurophth Therapeutics develops gene therapies targeting ophthalmic diseases, with its lead investigational candidate NR082 (NFS-01, rAAV2-ND4) for ND4-mediated LHON. NR082 has orphan drug designation from the U.S. FDA and its IND for a Phase 1/2/3 trial was approved by China NMPA in March 2021, with the first patient dosed in June 2021. The company’s pipeline includes ND1-mediated LHON, autosomal dominant optic atrophy, optic neuroprotection (e.g., glaucoma), vascular retinopathy (e.g., diabetic retinopathy) and five other preclinical candidates. Neurophth has initiated scale-up of in-house manufacturing using single-use technologies at its Suzhou facilities to support future commercial demand. The company intends to use newly raised capital to accelerate growth, advance its lead LHON program ex-China, enrich its R&D pipeline through business development, and continue expanding its international-standard gene therapy manufacturing platform. Neurophth is a fully integrated genetic medicines company focused on AAV-delivered gene therapies for ocular diseases. Its lead investigational candidate is NR082 (rAAV2-ND4) for ND4-mediated Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), which received U.S. FDA orphan designation in Q3 2020. The company expects to advance NR082 toward IND submission and to initiate clinical trials in the first half of 2021. Neurophth is developing a pipeline of 10 gene therapy product candidates addressing both rare and common ocular diseases, including ND1-mediated LHON, autosomal dominant optic atrophy, glaucoma, and diabetic macular edema. It is building a commercially scalable GMP manufacturing facility in Suzhou and scaling up in-house manufacturing using single-use technologies, and plans to establish translational research centers. Headquartered in Wuhan with subsidiaries in Shanghai, Suzhou, and the US, Neurophth closed a Series A in early 2020 to initiate facility construction and accelerate nonclinical studies.

• Kelun Biotech

  Led · Equity · Apr 2021

  Kelun Biotech is a subsidiary of Shenzhen-listed Kelun Pharmaceutical. The company secured over 500 million yuan (about $77 million) in fresh funding. The financing was led by CMC‑SDIC Capital. CMC‑SDIC Capital is a fund co‑launched by state-backed China Merchants Capital and SDIC. The lead investor announced the deal on Thursday. The article does not provide details on the use of proceeds, products, future plans, or operating metrics.

• LianBio

  Led · Equity · Oct 2020

  LianBio’s mission is to catalyze development and accelerate availability of paradigm‑shifting medicines to patients in China and major Asian markets through partnerships that provide access to science‑driven therapeutic discoveries. The company says it collaborates with world‑class partners across a diverse array of therapeutic and geographic areas to build a pipeline based on disease relevance and the ability to impact patients with transformative mechanisms and precision‑based therapeutics. LianBio describes a global innovation mining platform and says the platform has been validated by a syndicate of institutional investors. The company is building commercial and development capabilities to advance partnered programs in China and other major Asian markets. Management cited the success and momentum of the company’s recent launch and said the new financing will provide additional support for those efforts. LianBio is referenced from Shanghai and Princeton, N.J., and emphasizes addressing significant unmet medical needs in the region.

• NIO

  Participated · Equity · Apr 2020

  Shenji, a wholly controlled chip subsidiary of electric-vehicle maker Nio, focuses on developing high-performance system-on-chips for intelligent driving. Its first product, the Shenji NX9031, entered mass production in 2024 and has already shipped more than 150,000 units, largely to Nio’s own vehicle lines. Building on this momentum, the division plans to release ultra-high-performance chips for next-generation autonomous driving and several additional chips targeting embodied robotics, agent reasoning, and other artificial-intelligence hardware needs. Nio views the chip operation as strategic to reducing reliance on Nvidia and other external suppliers while supporting its 2026 profitability goal. The company has poured “billions of yuan” into R&D since 2021, an investment it equates to the cost of constructing 1,500 battery-swap stations. By opening the business to outside investors, Nio aims to lessen the capital burden while positioning Shenji to supply third-party customers. Post-investment, Nio retains management control with a 62.7% stake, and 10% of equity is set aside for an employee stock-incentive pool.

No current team members are available.