Code Moment | Youwei Biology Announces Close to 100 Million RMB Series B Round; Source Code Capital Led Series A

源码资本·June 30, 2022·0·2

Advancing the Commercial Application of Dissolvable Microneedle Technology

#MaKe Key Updates from Source Code Capital and MaHui Members

Recently, Youwei Biology, a company specializing in soluble microneedle drug delivery technology, completed a nearly RMB 100 million Series B financing round led exclusively by Cenova Capital. Source Code Capital led the company's Series A round. The proceeds will be used to continue commercializing soluble microneedle technology in the consumer sector and to expand its healthcare business and production capacity, helping the company maintain rapid growth.

Youwei Biology is a national high-tech enterprise focused on soluble microneedle transdermal drug delivery technology. Based on its independently developed third-generation soluble microneedle patented technology — the "high-pressure jet filling process" — the company achieves synchronous rapid filling of multi-matrix micro-nano structures. Combined with proprietary mold material modifications for low-temperature rapid curing and shaping, it overcomes the limitations of conventional production techniques that use high-temperature curing and damage drug activity. Through patented equipment development, the company has achieved fully automated production. By flexibly switching between point, line, and surface multi-trajectory filling methods, it enables stable mass production of both integrated-base high-capacity drug-loaded patches and segmented-tip precision quantitative drug-loaded patches, solving technical challenges around dosage volume and precision in practical applications and advancing the broader commercialization of soluble microneedles in the consumer health and medical fields.

Beauty Tech Business:

A New Solution to the Dual Challenge of Effective Absorption and Safety

Youwei Biology uses soluble microneedle transdermal drug delivery technology to convert active ingredients into micron-sized crystalline forms through a single low-temperature curing step. Depending on product design and requirements, these penetrate the stratum corneum in a solid, preservative-free, high-activity state, safely and effectively transporting active ingredients to the skin's epidermis for efficient transdermal absorption. The application of soluble microneedles can bring disruptive change to the light medical aesthetics and functional skincare sectors, offering a new solution to the dual challenge of effective absorption and skincare safety — particularly for active ingredients with large molecular structures.

As a technology platform driven by底层 innovation, Youwei Biology has established a dedicated product department focused on developing soluble microcrystal skincare products. It currently has mature formulations and product solutions across multiple series including anti-aging, spot lightening, and acne/blemish treatment, making soluble microcrystals a new generation of at-home tech-driven skincare that provides consumers with products and experiences that are home-friendly, safer, and more effective. The company continues to develop new offerings and will further expand soluble microcrystal products and comprehensive solutions for the medical aesthetics clinic setting. It has already established product customization partnerships with multiple well-known domestic skincare brands and holds the most soluble microcrystal product filings in China.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Innovation Business:

Building a Dual Pharmaceutical-Medical Device CRO+CDMO Technology Service Platform

Drawing on its deep understanding of soluble microneedle process technology, Youwei Biology has established a mature soluble microneedle pharmaceutical research system that addresses industry pain points, providing customers with comprehensive, specialized CRO+CDMO services for soluble microneedle drugs and medical devices with strict quality assurance. In early 2022, Youwei Biology established Zhuhai Keruiwei Medical Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary focused on soluble microneedle drug and medical device CRO+CDMO services, which is currently building GMP facilities, R&D and QC laboratories, and a soluble microneedle formulation aseptic production line. The company is currently working with multiple well-known domestic and international pharmaceutical companies to develop innovative soluble microneedle formulations for various drugs, with a pipeline covering traditional Chinese medicine extracts and multiple large-molecule drugs including peptide drugs, protein drugs, and recombinant protein vaccines, with applications in central nervous system disease treatment, pain management, hormone metabolic disease treatment, vaccination, and other areas.

The company has been granted over 30 authorized patents. Since its founding, it has received numerous qualifications and honors including the national gold award at the First National Postdoctoral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the Excellence Award at the National Disruptive Technology Innovation Competition, first place in the biomedical industry category at the China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (Guangdong Province), and Zhuhai Unicorn Seed Enterprise recognition.

Regarding this financing round, Dr. Leng Gang, founder of Youwei Biology, stated: "As a 'voice' and 'evangelist' in the emerging field of soluble microneedles, Youwei Biology has been committed to promoting the commercialization of products using soluble microneedle technology and the establishment of industry standards and regulations. In recent years, we have also recruited multiple PhDs and postdoctoral researchers from China, the US, and South Korea, continuously increasing our investment in technology R&D. Going forward, the company hopes to continue attracting talent in commercialization, product development, and R&D, maintaining Youwei Biology's底层 innovative capabilities in soluble microneedle technology, accelerating the broader application of soluble microneedle technology in the consumer health and pharmaceutical fields, jointly creating new horizons for the application of soluble microneedle transdermal drug delivery technology in China, and rising to the global forefront."