AusperBio Raises $37M in Series A for AHB-137 HBV Cure Development

In a significant development for the biotechnology sector, AusperBio Therapeutics, Inc. and Ausper Biopharma Co., Ltd. (collectively known as AusperBio) have successfully concluded a $37 million Series A financing round. AusperBio, a clinical-stage biotech firm focusing on targeted oligonucleotide therapies, aims to achieve a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This financing round saw contributions from existing investor InnoPinnacle Fund, as well as new participants such as Yuanbio Venture Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, Hankang Capital, and Genesis Capital.

The newly secured funds will primarily support the clinical advancement of AHB-137, AusperBio's flagship product candidate. Additionally, the financing will be utilized to further develop the company's proprietary Med-Oligo™ technology platform and expand its product pipelines.

AusperBio's CEO and co-founder, Dr. Guofeng Cheng, expressed gratitude for the sustained support from existing investors and welcomed the new investors. Dr. Cheng highlighted that this financing round marks a pivotal moment in the company's journey and acknowledges their scientific and clinical progress. He emphasized the shared dedication among investors to develop new treatments for CHB patients and noted that, combined with the recent Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) from China's CDE, the company is in a strong position to swiftly advance the clinical development of AHB-137. This progress brings them closer to offering a crucial new treatment option for CHB patients.

AHB-137, an innovative unconjugated antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), is a product of AusperBio's proprietary Med-Oligo™ ASO technology platform, specifically designed to functionally cure chronic hepatitis B. Preclinical and Phase 1 clinical data for AHB-137 were prominently featured at the 2023 and 2024 EASL™ conferences. The dual-mechanism ASO is currently undergoing a Phase 1b trial across various international sites, as well as a Phase 2 trial in China. AusperBio's global development strategy for AHB-137 underscores its rapid progress towards achieving a cure for HBV.

AusperBio operates in both the USA and China and is focused on advancing oligonucleotide and targeted delivery technologies to create transformative therapies, initially targeting chronic hepatitis B infection. The company's proprietary Med-Oligo™ ASO platform significantly enhances ASO therapeutics by incorporating novel design insights. When combined with efficient targeted delivery conjugation technologies, the Med-Oligo™ platform empowers ASO therapeutics to address a wide range of diseases, including viral infections, metabolic conditions, genetic disorders, and immune diseases.

This recent financing round is a testament to AusperBio's ongoing commitment to scientific innovation and clinical excellence. The funds will be instrumental in pushing forward the development of AHB-137, which holds the potential to change the treatment landscape for chronic hepatitis B. By leveraging their proprietary technology platform, AusperBio aims to make significant strides in the field of biotechnology, offering hope to patients with chronic hepatitis B and potentially other diseases in the future.