Langlai raises Series B after first drug wins China approval

What's the deal? Wuhan Langlai Technology Development, a clinical-stage drug developer, has closed a Series B round, the company said. PICC CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and China Merchants CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → led the round, with GF QianheDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Qianhai Ark, Changjiang CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and others joining. Existing backer Vivo Capital reinvested.

Why now? The raise follows a milestone: Langlai's first in-house drug, lanoconcipt (MY008211A), won China approval in June for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disorder.

What's the endgame? The oral drug is a complement factor B (CFB) inhibitor — reported as China's first approved and the world's second. That approval marks Langlai's shift from a platform-focused biotech toward a company with both research and sales. Proceeds will fund pipeline development, commercialization, and overseas trials.

Founded in 2013 by Wang Chaodong, Langlai lists 16 in-house assets, with six in Phase II/III and four in Phase I. Its focus spans inflammation and immunity, cardiorenal disease, respiratory conditions, and ophthalmology. Lanoconcipt is also being studied for IgA nephropathy, where it has been named a breakthrough therapy candidate.

What could go wrong? No round size was disclosed, limiting what can be read into investor conviction or launch resources. The IgA nephropathy use still needs further clinical validation.

The signal: The round reflects a broader pattern in Chinese biotech financing that favors differentiated, first-in-class assets — now backed here by insurance- and state-linked capital.

Read more: vbdata.cn

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