Zhifei Biotech Acquires Majority Stake in Chen’an Bio to Expand into Therapeutic Biopharmaceuticals
By Thomas Yuan

CHONGQING — Zhifei Biotech has announced a strategic acquisition to broaden its footprint beyond vaccines and into the realm of therapeutic biopharmaceuticals, investing 593 million yuan (approximately $82 million) to acquire a 51 percent stake in Chen’an Biotech, a Chongqing-based pharmaceutical company focused on metabolic diseases.

The deal, finalized on March 21, marks a key milestone in Zhifei’s goal to become a world-class biopharmaceutical company, enabling the firm to diversify its product pipeline and tap into high-growth therapeutic areas like diabetes and obesity.

According to an asset appraisal report, the pre-investment valuation of 100 percent of Chen’an Biotech was set at 570 million yuan. Under the agreement, 471 million yuan of Zhifei’s investment will be allocated to Chen’an’s registered capital, while the remaining 122 million yuan will go toward the company’s capital reserves. Upon completion, Chen’an will operate as a Zhifei-controlled subsidiary.

From Prevention to Treatment

Founded in 2015, Chen’an Biotech has built a portfolio of over ten biopharmaceutical projects, primarily targeting GLP-1 analogs, insulin analogs, and other hormone therapies for metabolic disorders. With the acquisition, Zhifei will gain access to multiple near-commercial-stage assets, including:

• A semaglutide injection for glycemic control, which has completed Phase III clinical trials;

• A semaglutide-based weight loss therapy, which has finished Phase III patient enrollment;

• A liraglutide injection in the final stages of regulatory review;

• And additional insulin analog candidates in advanced development.

The move enables Zhifei to integrate both preventive care and therapeutic treatment into a unified model, creating what the company describes as a three-dimensional pipeline combining vaccine development with chronic disease management.

“This is a strategic leap in enhancing our innovation capacity and long-term development,” a Zhifei spokesperson said. “It lays the foundation for sustainable growth and higher quality productivity.”

A Rising Biotech Player

Chen’an Biotech, incubated by Zhirui Investment, an affiliate of Zhifei’s controlling shareholder Jiang Rensheng, operates out of the Banan District in Chongqing. It is led by General Manager Zhang Gaofeng, who retains a minority ownership stake. Zhirui previously held 85 percent of the company.

The firm’s innovation platform is rooted in recombinant protein technology, utilizing yeast and E. coli expression systems to produce high-density precursors for human insulin and GLP-1 analogs. To date, it has invested nearly 700 million yuan in R&D and built a scalable infrastructure for industrial transformation, including:

• One preparation workshop and three raw material workshops;

• An annual production capacity of 30 million finished preparations;

• And a pipeline of preclinical assets, such as GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonists and oral semaglutide tablets.

With the acquisition, Zhifei Biotech is poised to not only solidify its dominance in vaccine innovation but also become a competitive force in the expanding market for health products, medical supply innovation, and chronic disease therapeutics.

https://finance.eastmoney.com/a/202503243353358356.html