It is expected to accelerate the development of its innovative synthetic vaccines.
Delonix Bioworks Ltd. (Delonix) is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing next-generation vaccines with synthetic biology approaches. The company has recently closed a USD 14 million seed financing led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF) and IDG Capital, with participation from ZhenFund and an undisclosed investor. The financing will be used to accelerate the process of building synthetic biology vaccine platforms and advance pipelines to clinical trials.
Based in Shanghai, China, Delonix attempts to apply innovative synthetic biology approaches to develop the next generation of medical solutions while addressing global public health challenges. Delonix's synthetic biology and antigen discovery platforms enable rational design and programming of bacteria into more safe and effective vaccines. The company's recent leading programs target anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
"We are delighted to have the support and confidence from our investors in our innovative platforms to develop the next generation synthetic biology vaccines," said Dr. Qiubin Lin, CEO of Delonix. "We are passionate about how synthetic biology could transform the way we develop medicines. Our first program focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobials are major threats to global public health and may cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Traditional vaccine approaches failed to generate effective vaccines against resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This funding will allow us to advance our AMR synthetic vaccine programs and further refine our existing platforms."
"The Delonix team has developed a novel approach combining live attenuated bacteria with the latest development in synthetic biology. Delonix's innovative approach has been recognized in the ecosystem by winning BI's Innovation Prize in 2020," said Dr. Weiyi Zhang, Managing Director, BIVF China. "While compiling expertise of the Delonix team in antigen discovery regarding disease biology and synthetic biology, we are confident that Delonix will advance the field of next-generation vaccine for AMR infections focusing on the BIVF and develop innovative therapies for patients."
"The Delonix team has demonstrated world-class research capabilities in synthetic biology and extensively explored multiple medical translations," said Dr. Zixuan Pang, Vice President, IDG Capital. "It is a great honor for us to have the opportunity to work with the Delonix team and we have great confidence in Delonix's pipeline. We firmly believe that Delonix will soon become a global leader in synthetic vaccines."
About Delonix Bioworks
Delonix Bioworks is a biotech company leveraging synthetic biology approaches and gene editing to develop the next generation of medical solutions to infectious diseases and cancer. The company's research programs focus on the rational design and programming of bacteria as living medicines.
About Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund
Founded in 2010, the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund GmbH (BIVF) invests in groundbreaking therapeutics-focused biotechnology companies to drive innovation in biomedical research. BIVF is searching for significant enhancements in patient care through pioneering science and its clinical translation by building long-term relationships with scientists and entrepreneurs. BIVF focuses on targeting unprecedented therapeutic concepts addressing high medical needs in immuno-oncology, regenerative medicine, infectious diseases, and digital health.
About IDG Capital
Started in 1993, IDG Capital was the first firm to bring foreign venture capital into China. After nearly 30 years of development, IDG capital has accumulated assets of about CNY 150 billion and invested in more than 1,000 companies with over 200 successful exits. IDG Capital investment portfolio in healthcare includes MGI Tech, Colortech Bio, Ping An Good Doctor, Edigene, HiFiBio, Analytical Biosciences, Zhenge Biotech, Gensciences, Microtech Medical, Keya Medical, Accutar Biotech, and Lyvgen.
About ZhenFund
ZhenFund is a seed fund founded by former entrepreneurs to invest in the most promising innovators. New Oriental co-founders Bob Xiaoping Xu and Victor Qiang Wang established ZhenFund in 2011 in collaboration with Sequoia Capital China. ZhenFund now has a network of over 700 portfolio companies, including over 10 unicorns based in China. ZhenFund has been honorably ranked "#1 Early-Stage Investment Firm" by Zero2IPO in six consecutive years from 2014 to 2019.
Contact Information:
Company's Name: Delonix Bioworks Ltd.
Email: info@delonixbio.com