Suzhou, China - Oct 14, 2021 — Neowise Biotechnology (新景智源生物科技) has completed its Series A financing round, led by TF Capital and followed by Sinopharm Capital. The funds will primarily be used for the research and development of TCR-T cell therapy products, process development, and the construction of a GMP manufacturing facility. Previously, Neowise received angel investment from Baidu Ventures and BioMap. Within just one year since its founding, the company has raised over 100 million RMB in total.

In recent years, cellular immunotherapy has seen rapid advancements, sparking a wave of innovation in cancer treatment. Among these, T-cell therapies have become one of the most promising approaches. In particular, CAR-T therapy has delivered remarkable results in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, for solid tumors, which account for more than 90% of cancer, TCR-T therapies that can specifically recognize intracellular tumor antigens, and are widely regarded as having greater therapeutic potential. Yet, one major challenge in the industry is how to develop effective TCR-T therapies to patients in a fast and precise manner.

Neowise Biotechnology was founded in late 2020 in BioBAY, Suzhou, focusing on the development and commercialization of TCR-T therapies for solid tumors. The company was co-founded by experts specialized in cell therapy with educational backgrounds from top institutions including Caltech, Carnegie Mellon University, and Cornell University.

Dr. Songming Peng, co-founder and CEO of Neowise, made a groundbreaking achievement in 2016 while at Caltech by isolating T cells from cancer patients' blood samples directly that could recognize their tumors. He later co-founded PACT Pharma, a company dedicated to develop personalized neoantigen-based cell therapies, where he led the R&D team to discover potential therapeutic TCRs for each individual patient, and was deeply involved in IND filings and Phase 1 clinical trials. PACT Pharma has raised over $200 million in funding.

Neowise aims to establish the world's largest paired antigen-TCR library by leveraging its proprietary high-throughput antigen-TCR screening technology and analyzing large quantities of donor samples. This database enables rapid selection of tumor-specific TCRs that accurately recognize antigens in solid tumors. These TCRs can then be used to engineer and expand T cells that specifically target tumor cells, ultimately delivering effective treatment for cancer patients.

Neowise has already assembled a experienced R&D team and established a research lab in Suzhou. The company has validated its high-throughput screening platform and begun discovering tumor antigen-specific TCRs. It has also forged strong collaborations with several top-tier hospitals. Neowise is actively advancing its TCR-T manufacturing processes and building a GMP-compliant facility to support clinical development of its pipelines.

About TF Capital:
TF Capital is a venture capital firm focused on the life sciences sector, including biotechnology, new drug development, medical devices, and healthcare services. It primarily invests in early- and growth-stage companies with strong core technologies and entrepreneurial teams. Beyond capital, TF provides strategic support in operations, regulatory compliance, and resource integration to help portfolio companies grow rapidly.

About Sinopharm Capital:
Established in 2012, Sinopharm Capital is a market-oriented equity investment firm integrating the strengths of both CVC and IVC models. It specializes in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors and has invested in nearly 80 outstanding projects to date, emphasizing integrity, professionalism, and long-term collaboration.

About BioMap:
BioMap is China's first biology computation-driven life sciences platform company, founded by Baidu's founder Robin Li. It focuses on the fusion of advanced AI technologies and cutting-edge biotechnology through long-term, large-scale investment. BioMap aims to create innovative multi-omics platforms, high-throughput experimental simulations, and intelligent molecular discovery engines to accelerate the development of novel drugs and diagnostics for human health.