The Venture Codex

Led · Series B · Feb 2021

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.

Led · Equity · Jul 2018

GOGOX is a Hong Kong-based logistics platform. The company operates a digital logistics platform serving customers in the region. According to the article, GOGOX has raised nearly $100 million in a fresh funding round. The round was co-led by BOCOM and CMF. The article does not provide details on operating metrics, use of proceeds, or specific financing instruments. GoGoVan is a Hong Kong-based on-demand logistics service anchored around short-distance logistics and trips. The company became Hong Kong’s first billion-dollar startup via a merger last year and, together with 58 Suyun, claims to cover 300 cities with about eight million registered users and roughly 2,000 staff. GoGoVan plans to introduce a door-to-door option and other offerings intended to simplify logistics and delivery services. It has primarily focused on China to date but intends to expand into India and Southeast Asia using new capital. The company raised $250 million in the first phase of a new funding round and did not disclose a valuation for this raise. GoGoVan positions itself against rival Lalamove, which raised $100 million last year and is exploring an IPO. GoGoVan operates an app marketplace that connects van drivers with users for on-demand delivery and logistics. Launched in July 2013 and based in Hong Kong, the company has access to 18,000 registered commercial vehicles. It has processed more than one million transactions with a total value exceeding HK$120 million (about $15.5M) and manages roughly 300,000 transactions per month in Hong Kong. Corporate clients include Kerry Logistics, SF Express, and DHL. After expanding into Singapore, GoGoVan plans to use new funding to add product features and continue expansion into additional Asian markets. Co-founder and CEO Steven Lam said the company captured close to 50% of independent logistics providers in Hong Kong within nine months of launch.