The Venture Codex

Participated · Series B · Sep 2023

Grit Biotechnology is a Shanghai-based cell therapy company founded in 2019 focused on developing transformative tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cancer treatments. Its pipeline includes GT101, described as the fastest-developing TIL therapy in China, which is slated to enter a pivotal Phase II trial by the end of 2023. The company also advances gene-edited TIL products and operates four core technology platforms central to TIL development: StemTexp®, StaViral®, KOReTIL® and ImmuT Finder®, a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening platform. GT201, a genetically engineered TIL, has an IND approved by the CFDA and has entered Phase I clinical trials. GT316 leverages ImmuT Finder®-identified targets, shows tumor elimination in PDX models with low-dose IL-2 and is in investigator-initiated trials in China. Grit plans to use new funding to support its TIL pipeline, including the pivotal Phase II for GT101 and advancement of its gene-edited TIL programs.

Participated · Series C · Jun 2023

Founded in 2018, Lingke Pharma (凌科药业) focuses on discovery and development of FIC/BIC therapies in autoimmune disease, inflammation and oncology. Its core programs center on second-generation highly selective and third-generation tissue-specific JAK inhibitors, with the small-molecule JAK1 candidate LNK01001 reporting positive Phase II data in rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis and ankylosing spondylitis showing strong efficacy and favorable safety. Multiple programs (including LNK01002 and LNK01003) have reported encouraging early clinical data, LNK01004 has enrolled its first patient in an Ib study for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and several assets are preparing to transition into Phase III. The company has submitted multiple end-of-Phase II / pre-Phase III meeting applications and says it will scale clinical development and invest in R&D teams and technology platforms. Frost & Sullivan is cited forecasting the JAK1 inhibitor market could reach USD 30.5 billion by 2030, underscoring the large market opportunity. Lingke says its innovation and clinical execution are being validated while it progresses toward broader late-stage development and eventual commercialization. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a Hangzhou-based clinical-stage company focused on developing small-molecule FIC and BIC drugs for oncology and autoimmune diseases. Led by Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan, Chairman and CEO, the core team has deep expertise in medicinal chemistry, biology, clinical and commercial development, with an average of more than 20 years in drug R&D. The company emphasizes innovation and differentiation, concentrating on highly selective second-generation and tissue-restricted third-generation JAK inhibitors while exploring novel targets. It currently has four Phase II clinical trials across four indications with promising clinical data. A few programs are expected to enter Phase III in the near future, and additional pipeline candidates have shown promising clinical and preclinical data with potential to become BIC/FIC drugs for several indications. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate the clinical development of its core products. Lynk Pharmaceuticals is a Hangzhou-based drug R&D company founded in 2018 and led by Chairman and CEO Dr. Zhao-Kui (ZK) Wan. It focuses on development of global FIC/BIC small-molecule drugs targeting autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancers. In three and a half years since its establishment Lynk has obtained IND approvals for three original products in China and the United States and launched global clinical development. The company completed an ex-China out-license of LNK01001 and in-licensed a first-in-class RAS program from Kobe University and RIKEN in 2020. Lynk recently closed a $50M Series B to fund Phase I and II clinical trials for multiple programs and to support preclinical development of new projects. Management also plans to use proceeds to expand international business and strengthen collaborations with partner companies.

Participated · Series B · Nov 2020

MegaRobo Technologies builds automation solutions for life sciences R&D, offering products that range from benchtop workflow automation to fully automated platforms for complex, large-system workflows. Its workflow automation integrates AI software, analytical instruments, hardware and consumables into a single system. The company’s products are adopted in multiple countries and are used in applications such as antibody selection, cell line development and molecular screening. MegaRobo has collaborated with partners including CELLada on high-throughput organoid cultivation and Agilent Technologies on integrated automation for synthetic biology and biopharmaceutical R&D. Led by CEO Daniel Huang, the company plans to continue investing in R&D, increase capacity and pursue global expansion. The article reports a major financing event that strengthens the company’s ability to execute on those plans. MegaRobo is a Chinese high-tech startup that applies artificial intelligence and robotics to life sciences and other sectors. The company describes itself as operating at the intersection of AI, robotics and life‑science applications. According to a company statement reported in the article, MegaRobo has raised $65 million in a funding round. The round was led by Hong Kong‑listed pharma giant WuXi AppTec, and other named participants include Matrix Partners and Sinovation. No operating metrics, valuation, or detailed use-of-proceeds were disclosed in the article. Meiga Robotics builds automated robotics and AI solutions tailored to life‑science applications including new‑drug R&D, gene engineering, and clinical diagnostics. The company has deployed dozens of automated systems and served nearly 100 life‑science customers, driving large efficiency gains: operation precision and repeatability improved by two orders of magnitude, throughput rose up to 100x in some workflows, and certain automated diagnostic workstations enabled daily nucleic‑acid testing capacity of 260,000 samples. Standard product offerings include fully automated reagent filling and dispensing systems (processing up to 900 ep tubes per hour, ~4 seconds per tube). During COVID‑19, Meiga’s automated nucleic‑acid workstations delivered ~20x throughput versus manual methods while reducing frontline infection risk. The company in 2024 launched the Meiga “Kunpeng Laboratory” sub‑brand to integrate robotics, AI and biology, and it has internally developed automated platforms for mammalian cell culture, phenotypic detection, gene editing, and high‑throughput drug screening. Meiga plans to expand its core business and continue R&D and construction of the Kunpeng Laboratory to strengthen its competitive moat in life‑science automation. The company was founded in June 2016 and is based in Beijing.