About Neukio Biotherapeutics

Established in June 2021 at the Life Science Park of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Neukio focuses on development of next generation allogenic cell therapies via the iPSC-CAR-NK axis, through internal discovery and external collaboration, with emphasis on innovative immuno-oncology products.

The management team has rich cell therapy experience, CEO and other key managers have led the Fosun Kite JV from the start and successfully launched the first CAR-T product Yescarta® commercialization in China (tech transfer, manufacturing, clinical trials and regulatory approval) in less than three years.

Supported by renowned VC investors including Lilly Asia Ventures, IDG Capital and Sherpa Capital, with a $40M angel round funding in August 2021.

Building upon successful experience in commercialization of autologous CAR-T cell therapy products and the last cutting-edge technologies, Neukio’s core team has designed a novel allogeneic immune cell therapy technology and process platform and to address the limitations of autologous cell therapy. Taking advantage of recent advancements in stem cell research, the platform utilizes gene editing and CAR technologies to introduce tumor antigen-specific CAR molecules to pluripotent stem cells, which are further induced to differentiate, mature, and expand to generate abundant NK cells with anti-tumor capability under GMP-compliant conditions. Leveraging their significant experience in the biotechnology industry, the core team is developing a rigorous process in automated bioreactors for large-scale manufacturing of intended products. The team has already accomplished the proof-of-concept study of iPSC-CAR-NK differentiation process on the exiting platform, obtaining evenly sized embryoid bodies from 3D suspension cultures of iPSCs which are further differentiated into CD34+ HSCs (hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells) and then to NK cells (up to 95% efficiency).