Jones Day – MSQ Ventures Global Networking Reception Shanghai, co-hosted by Jones Day and MSQ Ventures, took place on Sept 19th, 2023, at Oxbridge Centre Shanghai with supporting organizations, including BioCentury Inc., The BayHelix Group, and BioAroundWorld. 

The event provided a fascinating insight into the dynamic landscape of biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry. The event brought together industry leaders and emerging innovators, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

The event highlighted company presentations from Staidson, Metis Therapeutics, Domain Therapeutics, Antengene Corporation, Neukio Biotherapeutics, Meta Therapeutics, and Jones Day - showcasing their unique contributions to the field, offering a glimpse into the future of healthcare and biotech. 

Ada Zhang, Head of Business Development at Staidson, commenced by acquainting us with the Staidson (Beijing) Biopharmaceuticals. Established in 2002, Staidson emerges as a medium-sized firm with a complete operational chain spanning from early discovery to commercialization. The company stressed its notable presence in Thailand and the efficiency of its R&D team, comprising accomplished graduate students with substantial sales experience. Having entered the stock market in 2011, Staidson also underscored its global reach, strong government funding, and experienced leadership. Furthermore, Staidson discussed its diverse pipelines and recent achievements, most notably STSA 1301, an autoantibody drug targeting autoimmunity with potential applications in various autoimmune diseases. The presentation referenced research supporting the efficacy of their product, highlighted its safety profile, and suggested an extended shelf life. Staidson expressed keen interest in fostering global partnerships and nurturing collaboration. 

Liujun Song, Chief Business Officer, introduced Metis Therapeutics, a recently established biotech company, during his presentation. Founded in 2020, Metis has swiftly secured over $200 million in funding and maintains a workforce of approximately 170, with a primary focus on research and development. Led by Dr. Hong Ming-Chen, a highly respected expert, the company leverages AI technology to revolutionize drug delivery systems, particularly Lipid Nanoparticles (LMPs), with remarkable efficiency in targeting various organs. Metis sets itself apart through its unwavering commitment to stability, low toxicity, and long-term gene expression. While alluding to an upcoming collaboration with a multinational corporation, Mr. Liu showcased Metis's potential to transform drug delivery in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Nathalie Lenne, Vice President of Strategic Portfolio Management at Domain Therapeutics, introduced the company as a leading biopharmaceutical firm with a specialization in immunology, particularly in G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Their mission centers on developing immunotherapies to combat tumor-triggered immunosuppression. With a diverse portfolio of immunotherapy programs targeting various immune cell sub-compartments, including collaborations with key pharma companies, Domain Therapeutics has advanced programs such as an A2A-A2B dual antagonist, an EP4 antagonist, and a Treg-depleting anti-CCR8, all with a focus on precision research to optimize their positioning. Their innovative approach and potential breakthroughs position them as key players in the field of immunology. 

Ariel Guo, Vice President of Business Development at Antengene Corporation, introduced Antengene. The company strategically advances its mission to provide innovative medicines to patients worldwide through a combination of in-house research and partnership collaborations. Antengene maintains a diverse pipeline that includes novel immuno-oncology and targeted products, with a particular focus on late-stage programs like ATG-010, ATG-016, and ATG-008, all showing promising results in advanced cervical cancer patients. The company is also conducting clinical studies for several other potential treatments across various cancer types. Antengene's commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, including a commercialization partnership with Hansoh Pharma, underscores their dedication to expanding their impact and delivering transformative medicines to patients on a global scale. 

Richard Wang, CEO of Neukio Biotherapeutics, presented their work in the field of cell treatment. He began by highlighting the pressing need for a new generation of cell therapies and addressing limitations in existing treatments, such as customization issues. Richard outlined his company's solution, which involves universal and large-scale production to reduce costs and address physical treatment challenges. He delved into their IPS platform and discussed their financial situation. The presentation underscored the importance of an experienced team, genetic editing, and the use of CAR technology to enhance cell therapy. Richard also emphasized the significance of quality and consistency in cell production, touched upon the challenges of NK cells, and highlighted the advantages of IPS cells. He concluded by expressing confidence in their portfolio and the opportunities within the field of cell therapy. 

Alex Wang, Chief Financial Officer of Meta Therapeutics, presented their pioneering work in developing new medicines for autoimmune diseases by targeting immunometabolism. The company, established in 2021, focuses on the theory of the immune system and leverages AI computing for data analysis. Their approach aims to modulate overactive immune responses while ensuring safety, and they have conducted genetic knockouts and animal models to validate the effectiveness of their approach. Their preclinical compound, MetaOne, has shown promise in controlling diseases like multiple sclerosis, and they plan to enter clinical trials in the near future. Meta Therapeutics also explores other metabolic areas and actively seeks partnerships for research and development, ultimately aiming to develop effective therapeutics for chronic diseases. 

Charlie Chau, Partner at Jones Day, shared his extensive experience across various industries and his role as a legal advisor. He provided valuable insights into the Hong Kong stock market, presenting statistics about biotech companies, financing rounds, and post-IPO performance. Charlie emphasized the advantages of Hong Kong shares in generating profits and highlighted regulatory changes affecting companies. He concluded by inviting questions and encouraged the audience to subscribe to Zhongdao's official account for valuable information. 

This event served as a testament to the vibrant innovation occurring within the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, showcasing the dedication of these companies to improving healthcare and patient outcomes. As we look to the future, it is clear that these organizations will continue to shape the landscape of healthcare, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements and collaborations that hold the potential to transform lives globally.  

We extend our gratitude to Jones Day for co-hosting this insightful event and to all the participating organizations BioCentury Inc., The BayHelix Group, and BioAroundWorld for sharing their visions and expertise.  

The connections made and ideas exchanged here will undoubtedly contribute to the continued progress of the industry.