Last checked at 
8 Jan 2024 09:00
LEI: 549300Q7EXQQH6KF7Z84
8th January 2024
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd
· Bayer AG and RTW Investments, LP lead the $162 million initial closing of the Series D financing in Chinese biotech Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals
· Bayer AG collaboration to focus on cardiovascular diseases and ophthalmology in China
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (the "Company"), a London Stock Exchange-listed investment fund focused on identifying transformative biotech assets with high growth potential across the life sciences sector, is pleased to note the announcement on 6th January regarding portfolio company Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Limited ("JIXING") and its Series D preferred stock financing and strategic partnership with Bayer AG ("Bayer") and RTW Investments, LP ("RTW"). Bayer and RTW announced an equity investment in JIXING amounting to USD $35 million and USD $127 million respectively, alongside a new strategic collaboration focused on cardiovascular diseases and ophthalmology in China. The Series D financing will strengthen JIXING's capabilities in development and commercialisation. Bayer and JIXING will also form a joint portfolio strategy committee to pursue additional business development opportunities, and Xiaolan Zhou, Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer AG, President of Bayer Pharmaceuticals China, President of Bayer Greater China, will join JIXING's Board of Directors.
Founded and backed by RTW, JIXING is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing innovative medicines to underserved patients with serious and life-threatening diseases. As of 30 November 2023, JIXING represented 9.1% of the Company's net asset value, its largest private position.
Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RTW Investments, LP said:
"JIXING is on an exciting growth trajectory, driven by a world-class research and development team with a unique understanding of how to most effectively deliver innovative therapies that address complicated diseases to millions of patients in China and beyond. We believe JIXING is well-positioned to achieve its mission to bring breakthrough therapeutics to millions of people across China, and this latest development will provide JIXING with additional support and guidance from one of the world's largest and most renowned pharmaceutical and biomedical companies with deep experience in the cardiovascular and ophthalmology fields."
Click here for the full text of the press release.
For further information:
RTW Investments, LP | +44 (0)20 7959 6361 |
Woody Stileman, MD, Business Development Krisha McCune, Director, IR |
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biotechopportunities@rtwfunds.com |
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Buchanan Communications | +44 (0)20 7466 5107 |
Charles Ryland |
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Henry Wilson |
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Numis |
+44 20 7260 1000 |
Freddie Barnfield |
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Nathan Brown |
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Euan Brown |
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BofA Securities | +44 20 7628 1000 |
Edward Peel |
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Kieran Millar
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Cadarn Capital David Harris | +44 73 6888 3211 |
About Biotech Opportunities Ltd:
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (LSE: RTW & RTWG) is an investment fund focused on identifying transformative assets with high growth potential across the biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors. Driven by a long-term approach to support innovative businesses, RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd invests in companies developing next-generation therapies and technologies that can significantly improve patients' lives. RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd is managed by RTW Investments, LP, a leading healthcare-focused entrepreneurial investment firm with deep scientific expertise and a strong track record of supporting companies developing life-changing therapies.
Visit the website at www.rtwfunds.com/rtw-biotech-opportunities-ltd for more information.
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The information in this announcement may include forward-looking statements, which are based on the current expectations and projections about future events, and in certain cases can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "intend", "continue", "target", "believe" (or the negatives thereon) or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, as well as those included in any related materials, are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and/or its underlying investments, including, among other things, the development of the applicable entity's business, trends in its operating industry, expected use of financing proceeds and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events in the forward-looking statements may not occur.
The information contained in this announcement is given at the date of its publication (unless otherwise marked). No reliance may be placed for any purpose whatsoever on the information or opinions contained in this announcement or on its completeness, accuracy or fairness.
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