By Fineline Cube 
Chengdu Westgene Biopharma announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with Shenzhen BGI Huo-Yan Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of BGI Group. The collaboration focuses on the development and industrialization of mRNA drugs, leveraging Westgene’s proprietary ionizable lipid technology.
Partnership Details
Westgene’s self-developed ionizable lipid has been licensed to BGI Huo-Yan as the core lipid for lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). This collaboration will support the global research, development, production, and commercialization of BGI Huo-Yan’s vaccine projects. Under the agreement, Westgene will receive direct payments totaling up to RMB 1.1 billion, including upfront payments, preclinical and clinical development milestones, and commercialization milestones. Additionally, if the products are successfully launched, Westgene will share in the proceeds. Westgene will also become a strategic supplier to BGI Huo-Yan Engineering.
Global Intellectual Property and Technical Advantages
Westgene’s ionizable lipid has established a comprehensive global intellectual property landscape, covering major markets such as China, the United States, Europe, and Japan. The LNP prepared using this novel chemical structure lipid has entered clinical trials. Interim data demonstrate superior safety, targeting (extrahepatic), mRNA translation protein levels, and storage stability (stable storage for over 18 months at room temperature) compared to existing commercially available excipients.-Fineline Info & Tech