#USA #San Francisco #AusperBio #AHB-137 #Hepatitis B

AusperBio Secures $73 Million in Series B Financing

AusperBio Therapeutics, Inc. along with Ausper Biopharma Co., Ltd. has successfully completed a significant funding round, raising $73 million in Series B financing. This privately held biotechnology firm is focused on developing targeted oligonucleotide therapies aimed at finding a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

The financing round was robustly led by HanKang Capital and saw participation from notable investors such as Sherpa Capital, CDH Investments, and strategic contributors alongside existing backers like Qiming Venture Partners, InnoPinnacle Fund, and YuanBio Venture Capital. This uptick in funding follows a successful Series A round that was completed just months prior in July, thus indicating strong investor confidence in the company's scientific direction and proprietary platforms.

The proceeds from this latest funding will play a crucial role in advancing AHB-137, AusperBio’s lead investigational therapy. It will support further Phase 2 clinical trials both in China and across international markets. Moreover, it aims to develop manufacturing processes that can support commercial-scale production. This capital infusion will also support the expansion of AusperBio’s therapeutic pipeline and its operational capabilities, ensuring the company remains poised for significant growth.

Dr. Guofeng Cheng, co-founder and CEO of AusperBio, expressed gratitude towards the investors, stating, "We are honored by our investors' confidence and support. This milestone financing recognizes our scientific and clinical accomplishments to date and enables us to accelerate our clinical programs and move closer to delivering a functional cure for CHB patients in need."

Dr. Chris Yang, co-founder and CSO, also highlighted the attention that AHB-137 has garnered from the scientific community, especially following its recent presentation at the AASLD conference. The promising data from clinical trials have reinforced the credibility of their Med-Oligo™ platform, which is key to developing innovative targeted oligonucleotide therapies for CHB and other serious chronic diseases.

Advancements with AHB-137

AHB-137 is designed as a novel unconjugated antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that operates within AusperBio's Med-Oligo™ ASO technology platform. This innovative therapy aims to target chronic hepatitis B effectively, striving for a functional cure. The results from preclinical and Phase 1 clinical trials have been well-received, with findings presented at significant conferences such as EASL 2023 and EASL 2024. Positive interim data from the Phase 2a trials were also disclosed in a late-breaking oral session at the 2024 AASLD, showcasing the rapid progression of this novel treatment approach.

Company Profile

AusperBio operates in the USA and China, positioning itself as a key player in the biopharmaceutical landscape. Focused on advancing oligonucleotide and targeted delivery technologies, the company is on a mission to create transformative therapies, beginning with chronic hepatitis B. Their proprietary Med-Oligo™ ASO platform enhances the efficacy of ASO therapeutics through unique design insights, pairing these with effective targeted delivery mechanisms. This modular platform is set to allow ASO therapeutics to address a wide array of diseases, including viral infections and genetic disorders.

As AusperBio continues to forge ahead with its innovative therapies, it stands out as a beacon of hope for patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B. The confidence of robust financial backing underscores the potential impact that their research and development may have on the healthcare landscape, aiming to alleviate a global health burden and redefine treatment paradigms for chronic infections.