Neukio Biotherapeutics on a New Mission
Corporate Overview
Neukio Biotherapeutics
Founded in June 2021 and headquartered at the Simbay Life Science Park in Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Neukio focuses on development of allogeneic cell therapies for solid tumor indications and autoimmune diseases. Products are based on iPSC-CAR-NK and iPSC-CAR-T approach, that are readily manufactured in large scale for efficiency and cost reduction. The first two product candidates have entered clinical trial for validation.
The management team has rich cell therapy experience, CEO and other key managers have led the Fosun Kite JV from the start and successfully launched the first CAR-T product Yescarta® commercialization in China (tech transfer, manufacturing, clinical trials and regulatory approval) in less than three years.
Supported by renowned VC investors including Lilly Asia Ventures, IDG Capital and Sherpa Capital, with a $40M angel round funding in July 2021. Since September 2022 to now，Neukio has closed $58 million in a Series A funding round that was led by CD Capital, with the participation of Alwin Capital, Surplus Capital, Alihealth and Panlin Capital as new investors. Existing shareholders Lilly Asia Ventures, Sherpa Healthcare Partners and IDG Capital have continued to support the company with additional funding. G&G Capital served as the exclusive financial adviser.
Building upon successful experience in commercialization of autologous CAR-T cell therapy products in China and the cutting-edge technologies, Neukio’s core team has designed a novel allogeneic immune cell therapy platform and innovative process to enhance activity and overcome disadvantages of NK therapy. Our innovation mainly focuses on two aspects:
1) Leveraging the advantages of gene editing technologies to modify unique signaling pathways and/or to engineer transgenes, we can create novel functions and reconstitute immune-response of iPSC-NK to overcome the challenges in treating solid tumors beyond cancer target selection. In addition, knocking-in and expressing target-specific CAR molecules will enhance target dependent cytotoxicity, and NK activation, leading to better clinical efficacy in specific indications.
2) Developing GMP-compliant bioreactor-based 3D suspension process for iPSC differentiation to NK cell and further expansion under perfusion conditions will ensure manufacturing highly pure and homogenic CAR-NK products in scale. Demonstration of clinical safety and efficacy of the engineered products will fulfill the unmet medical needs in solid tumor treatment, and bring hope of cure to patients world-wide.
Our Competitive Advantages
l Products from dual iNK/iT technical platforms, with FIC/BIC potential
l Strong cell therapy expertise and proprietary technologies (gene editing, CAR-T, CMC, regulatory)
l Parallel approach via internal R&D & external collaborations
l Highly effective team with strong execution record
l Supported by renowned investors with shared vision
Development History
