Portfolio News
Beijing QL Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("QL Biopharmaceutical"), a near-commercial biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for chronic metabolic diseases, announced the completion of a Series C+ financing of nearly RMB 300 million. The round was led by Cathay Capital, with participation from Huatai Zijin Investment and continued support from existing investors Tencent and Lichen Investments.
Dr. Zhang Xujia, Founder, Chairman and CEO of QL Biopharmaceutical, commented: "We are deeply grateful to both our new and existing shareholders for their strong endorsement of QL Biopharmaceutical and steadfast support. Since our founding, we have remained patient-centered and innovation-driven, with a dedicated focus on chronic metabolic diseases. We have established proprietary peptide and protein drug technology platforms and built a globally competitive pipeline portfolio centered on ultra-long-acting, oral and multi-target therapies. We are now sharpening our focus on commercialization and the global development of our core clinical pipeline. Going forward, we will continue to leverage our core advantages in technology, cost efficiency and manufacturing capacity to accelerate regulatory submissions, clinical development and commercialization across our pipeline. Based in China and with a global outlook, we are committed to delivering more accessible, effective and competitive treatment options for people living with chronic metabolic diseases."
Cathay Capital commented: "GLP-1 therapies are becoming the cornerstone of first-line metabolic disease treatment worldwide. QL Biopharmaceutical's differentiated portfolio is closely aligned with next-generation trends toward ultra-long-acting, oral and synergistic multi-target therapies, creating formidable competitive barriers. With GLP-1 therapies standing at the intersection of prescription medicine and consumer healthcare, QL Biopharmaceutical's E. coli fermentation platform offers a structural cost advantage that transfers into a strong position for the company to compete effectively in the global weight-management market. With deep, long-standing expertise in the healthcare and consumer sectors, Cathay Capital will continue to support QL Biopharmaceutical's long-term development in scientific innovation, professional brand development and global expansion, helping the company to become a globally influential leader in innovative therapies for metabolic diseases."
Huatai Zijin Investment commented: "Significant unmet clinical needs remain in metabolic diseases. Ultimately, competition in this field will come down to technological innovation, clinical value and the ability to scale manufacturing and commercialize products. Leveraging its proprietary technology platforms, QL Biopharmaceutical has built a differentiated portfolio spanning ultra-long-acting, oral and multi-target therapies. The clinical progress of its core pipeline further validates the team's R&D strength and execution capabilities. We are confident in the company's long-term growth and global potential in chronic metabolic diseases. Guided by our philosophy of 'growing together with entrepreneurs' and drawing on Huatai Securities' full-service capabilities and industry resources, Huatai Zijin Investment will continue to support the company as it advances clinical development, manufacturing scale-up and commercialization, and to bring innovative therapies with meaningful clinical value to benefit more patients."
Lichen Investments commented: "QL Biopharmaceutical's core product, zovaglutide (ZT002), is the world's first once-monthly GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide to enter Phase III clinical development. We are excited to have witnessed the company’s progress across its sequential oral and multi-target programs, underscoring the breadth and depth of its strong pipeline. We look forward to seeing QL Biopharmaceutical leverage its proprietary high-yield recombinant protein production platform and in-house, GMP-compliant commercial-scale manufacturing facility to advance its core pipeline and deliver supply at scale, bringing convenient long-term treatment options to a broader patient population."
