By Fineline Cube 
Simnova Biotech announced the completion of a Series B financing round of nearly RMB 400 million, co‑led by Fortera Capital, Cenova Capital, and Pudong Venture Capital, with participation from Zhangke Herun and Oriza Holdings, and follow‑on investment from existing shareholder Youshan Capital. Proceeds will accelerate confirmatory clinical trials of SNC103, the company’s core off‑the‑shelf CAR‑NK therapy, and advance its in vivo CAR‑T platform candidate SNC116 into registrational clinical development.
Financing Milestone
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Simnova |
| Round | Series B (~RMB 400 million) |
| Co‑Lead Investors | Fortera Capital, Cenova Capital, Pudong Venture Capital |
| Participating Investors | Zhangke Herun, Oriza Holdings; follow‑on from Youshan Capital |
| Date | 31 Aug 2026 |
| Use of Proceeds | Confirmatory trials for SNC103; registrational development of SNC116 |
| Next Steps | Advance core CAR‑NK and in vivo CAR‑T candidates toward late‑stage clinical milestones |
Company Profile & Technology Platforms
- Founded: 2019, originated as the cell therapy unit of Simcere Pharmaceutical; operating independently since 2021
- Focus: Next‑generation cell therapies across autoimmune and oncology indications
- Platform 1: Off‑the‑shelf CAR‑NK — allogeneic, readily available cell therapy format
- Platform 2: In vivo CAR‑T — next‑generation approach engineering T cells inside the body
- Platform 3: Multi‑targeted solid tumor CAR‑T
Clinical Evidence – SNC103 in SLE
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Candidate | SNC103, CD19‑targeted CAR‑NK therapy |
| Indication | Moderate‑to‑severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) |
| Phase I Outcome | Positive results with best‑in‑class potential |
| Key Efficacy Signal | 100% SRI‑4 (SLE Responder Index‑4) response rate |
| Comparator | Off‑the‑shelf positioning vs. autologous CAR‑T regimens in autoimmune disease |
SNC103’s Phase I data in moderate‑to‑severe SLE — anchored by a 100% SRI‑4 response rate — positions the candidate among the most compelling early readouts in the rapidly growing field of cell therapies for autoimmune disease. Its off‑the‑shelf CAR‑NK format could offer meaningful practical and cost advantages over personalized autologous CAR‑T approaches.
Market Impact & Outlook
- Autoimmune Cell Therapy Momentum: SLE has become one of the hottest frontiers in cell therapy, with CAR‑based approaches showing transformative remission potential
- Off‑the‑Shelf Advantage: Allogeneic CAR‑NK could improve scalability and accessibility relative to bespoke CAR‑T manufacturing
- Platform Breadth: In vivo CAR‑T and solid tumor programs diversify risk beyond the lead autoimmune candidate
- Strategic Lineage: Simnova’s origin within Simcere Pharmaceutical provides established pharmaceutical infrastructure and credibility in China’s biotech ecosystem
Forward‑Looking Statements — This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding Simnova’s clinical development, regulatory progress, and commercialization of SNC103 and SNC116. Actual results may differ materially due to risks inherent in drug development, regulatory review, manufacturing, and competitive dynamics. Readers should not place undue reliance on such statements.-Fineline Info & Tech