By Fineline Cube 
TJ Biopharma announced a strategic cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Lab Technology Holdings Co., Ltd. (Zhike Holdings) to co‑develop next‑generation ultra‑long‑acting biologics, including a growth hormone candidate, powered by the BioDeepDiscovery (BDD) AI‑driven scientific discovery platform.
Partnership Overview
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Companies | TJ Biopharma (private), Zhike Holdings (Zhejiang Lab affiliate) |
| Focus | Ultra‑long‑acting biologics, prioritized growth hormone program |
| Technology | BioDeepDiscovery (BDD) – AI‑driven discovery platform |
| Collaboration Model | TJ: R&D, biological data, preclinical; Zhike: Tech verification, deployment |
| Strategic Goal | Accelerate TJ’s pipeline from discovery to IND |
| Agreement Date | 26 Dec 2025 |
Technology Profile: BioDeepDiscovery Platform
- AI‑Driven Design: BDD integrates deep learning, protein structure prediction, and molecular dynamics to engineer biologics with extended half‑life and optimized receptor binding
- Growth Hormone Application: Platform identified novel Fc fusion and XTENylation modifications predicted to extend GH half‑life to 14‑21 days (vs. daily injections)
- Data Advantage: Leverages Zhejiang Lab’s exascale computing and TJ’s proprietary clinical‑grade biologics database (>50,000 protein variants)
- Differentiation: Accelerates lead optimization from 18‑24 months to 6‑9 months, reducing preclinical costs by an estimated 40‑50%
Market Opportunity: Ultra‑Long‑Acting Growth Hormone
China’s growth hormone deficiency (GHD) market is valued at ¥8.5 billion (≈ US$1.2 billion) in 2025, growing at a 15% CAGR, driven by pediatric GHD and adult therapy expansion.
| Parameter | Current Standard | TJ‑Zhike Target |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | Daily injection (Genotropin, Jintropin) | Once‑every‑2‑weeks |
| Annual Cost (¥) | ¥40,000‑60,000 | ¥35,000‑50,000 (projected) |
| Patient Compliance | ~60% adherence | >85% (projected) |
| Market Share (2028E) | 90% short‑acting | 15‑20% ultra‑long‑acting |
Target Population: ~300,000 pediatric GHD patients in China; adult indication could double addressable market by 2030.
Competitive Landscape
| Company | Product | Half‑Life | Stage | Differentiation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TJ Biopharma / Zhike | AI‑designed ultra‑long‑acting GH | 14‑21 days | Pre‑clinical | AI‑optimized; reduced immunogenicity |
| Ascendis Pharma | TransCon GH (Skytrofa) | 7 days | Approved (US/EU) | Prodrug technology; high cost |
| Vaccitech | VTP‑300 (long‑acting GH) | 10‑14 days | Phase 2 | Gene therapy approach; early stage |
| Local Players | Jintropin, An auxin | 1‑2 days | Marketed | Daily injection; generic competition |
Strategic Edge: TJ‑Zhike’s AI‑driven design aims to achieve superior half‑life and lower production complexity than prodrug or PEGylation approaches.
Development Timeline & Financial Outlook
| Milestone | Target Date | Investment (¥) |
|---|---|---|
| AI‑driven lead optimization | Q2 2026 | ¥15 million |
| IND‑enabling studies | Q4 2026 | ¥40 million |
| IND filing | Q1 2027 | – |
| Phase 1/2a initiation | H2 2027 | ¥120 million |
| Phase 3 & NDA | 2028‑2030 | ¥350 million |
| Projected peak sales (2032E) | – | ¥1.2‑1.5 billion (US$170‑210 million) |
Funding: TJ Biopharma has secured ¥200 million Series B financing (closed Nov 2025), with 30% allocated to the GH‑RDC program.
Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements concerning TJ Biopharma’s development timeline, market projections, and AI‑platform capabilities. Actual results may differ materially due to clinical trial outcomes, competitive pressures, and regulatory pathway uncertainties.-Fineline Info & Tech