METiS Technologies Successfully Finalizes RMB 400 Million Funding to Enhance Biopharmaceutical Innovations in Beijing

METiS Technologies Secures RMB 400 Million to Innovate Biopharmaceuticals in Beijing

Beijing, China — METiS Technologies, a frontrunner in the realm of artificial intelligence and nanodelivery systems, has announced the successful closure of a RMB 400 million Series D funding round. This milestone was revealed during an event at the Zhongguancun (Daxing) Cell and Gene Therapy Industrial Park, a vital hub within Beijing's burgeoning life sciences landscape.

This substantial financing has been co-led by significant entities such as the Beijing Medical and Health Industry Investment Fund and the Daxing Industrial Investment Fund, which are instrumental in propelling the city’s biotechnology innovation initiatives. The newly acquired capital is earmarked for accelerating METiS' core strategies, which encompass automation enhancements on their unique platforms, advancing in-house product development, expanding global collaborations, and attracting highly skilled professionals to the team.

Importance of the Funding

The Beijing Medical and Health Industry Investment Fund is among several important industrial funds instituted with the backing of the Beijing Municipal Government. This fund is focused on cutting-edge pharmaceuticals, advanced medical technologies, and rapidly developing fields like cell and gene therapy (CGT) along with digital health innovations. Its role in bolstering the regional biotech ecosystem is pivotal.

Mr. REN Peng, the Chairman and General Manager of Shunxi Management Co., Ltd., one of the general partners of the fund, emphasized the gravity of healthcare in Beijing's innovative strategy, stating, _"Healthcare stands as a crucial component of Beijing's innovation-driven strategy and represents a pillar of emerging productivity."_ He further noted that the AI+Healthcare Innovation Action Plan launched by the city aims to integrate artificial intelligence with life sciences, steering towards a new phase of substantial growth. The RMB 20 billion fund is committed to fostering innovation in CGT, with METiS positioned as a key player in enhancing formulation and delivery systems.

Mr. LI Ming, Chairman of the Beijing Daxing District Investment Group, recognized Daxing District’s ambition to embed biopharma deeply into its economic framework, citing the significance of the new OpenCGT platform as a proactive step towards accelerating the commercialization of leading-edge technologies.

Technological Advancements

The OpenCGT platform developed by METiS aims to tackle critical challenges in precision nanodelivery, striving to simplify processes and drive the clinical adoption of next-generation CGT therapies. The platform seeks to act as a bridge between pioneering research from academic institutions and pragmatic applications by biotech firms. Its inaugural initiative involves collaborating with AccurEdit Therapeutics to facilitate a liver-targeted CRISPR gene-editing therapy utilizing mRNA-LNP delivery.

AccurEdit Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing safe and effective in vivo gene editing solutions for both hereditary and acquired diseases, showcasing groundbreaking achievements such as being the first and only company in China to demonstrate systemic CRISPR gene editing in humans with verified safety and efficacy as of October 2023.

Vision and Commitment

Dr. Chris LAI, Co-founder and CEO of METiS Technologies, expressed profound gratitude for the trust from the Beijing municipal government, investors, and partners within the ecosystem. He articulated the company's mission to combat the challenges of nanodelivery through innovative AI solutions, emphasizing, _“Advancing homegrown, world-class delivery technologies is essential for bolstering the high-quality evolution of China’s CGT industry.”_

METiS Technologies stands as a beacon of progress with its valuation reflecting its dedication to lessening the obstacles within drug delivery while enhancing therapeutic avenues across various diseases, notably cancer and other complex conditions.

As a pioneering TechBio enterprise, METiS leverages its advanced technological platforms—AiLNP, AiRNA, and AiTEM—developed by an exceptional team with vast expertise in AI and nanomaterials. These platforms are engineered to simulate and optimize nanoscale interactions, ultimately unlocking new therapeutic frontiers for a healthier global community.