China-based Wuhan YZY Biopharma Co., Ltd has reportedly raised RMB 200 million (USD 29.8 million) in a pre-Series C financing round led by Wuhan Hi-Tech, Hubei Science Technology Investment, and Optics Valley Financial Holding. The proceeds will be used for the clinical development of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) and COVID-19 vaccines, among other projects.
Product Pipeline
YZY Biopharma has a diverse product pipeline covering tumors, ophthalmology, COVID-19, and more, with five candidate drugs currently in the clinical stage. The leading product, M701, is a recombinant anti-EpCAM and CD3 human-murine chimeric bispecific antibody under development for the treatment of malignant ascites. It has completed a Phase I clinical study, with interim results published on the ESMO official website, demonstrating a favorable safety, tolerability, and efficacy profile. A Phase II clinical study is now underway.
COVID-19 Vaccine Development
Y2019 is a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prepared from the homodimer of the coronavirus spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD). The vaccine has a stable antigenic structure and strong immunogenicity. Animal studies using traditional aluminum adjuvant have shown that the serum produced has a cross-neutralizing effect on the original strain of the novel coronavirus, as well as the Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. The vaccine, which combines the scientific research of the Wuhan Institute of Virology with YZY Biopharma’s recombinant protein industrialization platform, is currently in a Phase I clinical study in Hubei, with preliminary results indicating a good safety profile.-Fineline Info & Tech
