In recent days, Shanghai Ruizhou Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Ruizhou Biologics") announced the successful completion of a RMB 200 million Series B financing round. This round was led by Ruili Synthetic Biology Fund, with BioTrack Capital acting as the exclusive financial advisor.

The funds raised in this round of financing will be mainly used for the clinical research and commercialization advancement of the company's core product, the 24-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (PCV24), for indications in adults and infants/young children, as well as the R&D and pipeline development of novel meningococcal vaccines.

Founded in September 2017 by Dr. Zhu Xianchao, a senior returnee expert, Shanghai Ruizhou Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Ruizhou Biologics) focuses on the R&D and industrialization of novel vaccines, antibodies, and recombinant protein drugs.

Its core product, the 24-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, is designed for the characteristics of pathogenic pneumococcal serotypes in China. The expected protection coverage rate will be increased from the current 75% to more than 90%. Currently, the Phase III clinical trial for the adult indication of this product is about to initiate, while the Phase II clinical trial for the infant/young child indication is currently underway. In addition, the company’s expanded innovative meningococcal vaccine is about to initiate clinical trials.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the primary pathogenic bacterium causing lower respiratory tract infections and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). It has a high carriage rate in the population and is known as the "silent killer". Especially in infants, the elderly, and adult populations with underlying diseases, Streptococcus pneumoniae infection is also the main cause of invasive diseases such as meningitis and septicemia, imposing a heavy disease burden and economic burden on the medical system and society.

In recent years, the development of broad-spectrum polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines with broad-spectrum protection coverage has become an R&D hotspot in the industry, providing a better solution for innovative products to be launched as soon as possible and benefit the general population.

The application of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in infants has been fully validated and recognized in decades of clinical application, and their application in the adult population has huge potential. According to statistics, the population aged 60 and above in China has exceeded 300 million, and the global adult pneumococcal vaccine market size reaches billions of US dollars.
With the acceleration of global population aging and the continuous increase in patients with underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus and chronic respiratory diseases, the demand for effective adult pneumonia prevention is becoming increasingly urgent.

Currently, the only adult pneumococcal vaccine marketed in China is the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). However, since this product cannot be used in infants and has poor efficacy in elderly individuals with weak immunity, there remains a huge unmet clinical need.

Through innovative design, Ruizhou Biologics' PCV24 has independent intellectual property rights. As a first-in-class high-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine globally, it can provide broader protection for the entire population and has crucial strategic significance for safeguarding public health.

Dr. Zhu Xianchao, Founder of Ruizhou Biologics, stated: "At this key juncture of Ruizhou Biologics' development, both I and the company are deeply grateful for the strong support and trust from Ruili Synthetic Biology Fund and BioTrack Capital. During the entire financing process, Dr. Huang Jiaxin from Ruili Synthetic Biology Fund and the BioTrack Capital team have greatly promoted the smooth progress of the project with their excellent professional capabilities, dedication, and efficient teamwork. I firmly believe that Ruizhou Biologics will continue to strive for greater achievements on this new starting point. Based on giving full play to its own advantages and with the support of new and old shareholders, the company will accelerate the industrialization process of existing product pipelines with a new attitude, continuously forge ahead, and create greater value for the development of China's innovative vaccine industry and the long-term sustainable development of the company."

Dr. Huang Jiaxin, Partner of Ruili Synthetic Biology Fund, commented: "We are extremely optimistic about the future development prospects of the 24-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine under R&D by Ruizhou Biologics. This product has broad market space and great clinical value. Currently, the data presented during the clinical trial phase of the product is outstanding. It not only has excellent safety and immunogenicity profiles but also significantly outperforms existing similar products in multiple key indicators, which lays a solid foundation for its subsequent commercial promotion and widespread application. This product not only shows huge market potential but also reflects the company's innovative strength and technical accumulation in the field of vaccine R&D. We firmly believe that once the vaccine is successfully launched, it will effectively fill the gaps in the current pneumococcal vaccine market, bring a positive impact on global public health undertakings, and at the same time bring considerable economic benefits and a good industry reputation to Ruizhou Biologics. As shareholders, we have rich and high-quality clinical resources in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region, and we will also actively support the clinical advancement and product launch of Ruizhou Biologics' products."

An Hongfei, Strategic Key Client Partner of BioTrack Capital, said: "We are very grateful for the trust of the Ruizhou Biologics team in BioTrack Capital and the strong support of all new and old shareholders. It is a great honor to assist the company in completing this round of financing. Dr. Zhu, the founder of Ruizhou Biologics, has rich experience in the R&D and industrialization of novel vaccines and protein-based products. His innovative breakthroughs and full-chain layout capabilities in the field of pneumococcal vaccines are impressive. We are optimistic about its technology platform and pipeline potential, and we look forward to this financing helping the company accelerate the commercialization of core products and expand new pipelines such as meningococcal vaccines to provide more solutions for global public health."