Geneception, a China-based gene and cell therapy company incubated by Eight Roads, F-Prime Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures unveiled the new premises of its R&D Center at Zhangjiang Science City in Shanghai.

Gene and cell therapies harness the power of corrective gene forms, virus-based delivery, engineering and optimization of human cells, and other allogeneic and autologous cell therapies to treat and cure diseases. Geneception’s mission is to become a preeminent gene and cell therapy company, working to deliver world-class therapeutics for patients in China and globally. Since its founding, Geneception has begun to develop a strong integrated viral vector production capability of both adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus (LV) for in vivo gene therapy indications and ex vivo cell therapy indications.  

Geneception completed its Series A funding last year, led by Hillhouse Capital, Sequoia China and ARCH Venture Partners. Founding investors Eight Roads, F-Prime Capital and Lilly Asia Ventures also participated.

Daniel Auerbach, Senior Managing Partner and Global Head, Eight Roads Ventures said, “We have been following the development of China’s medical sector for more than 20 years. Despite the favorable healthcare policy and environment for gene therapy, the availability of manufacturers in China able to supply the high-quality virus needed for these therapies is very limited. We set up Geneception to take advantage of this confluence of factors, recruiting a world-class team to build high-quality gene and cell therapy products for patients in China and beyond.”

Chong Xu, Principal at F-Prime said, “F-Prime was one of the first venture capital firms to invest in the gene and cell therapy space, and we are very excited to see the field maturing in China. We believe that gene and cell therapies are the next frontier for biotherapeutics development, after small molecules and biologics. Geneception is poised to become the leading gene and cell therapy company in China, and we are excited to support them in their efforts to develop world-class therapeutics to benefit patients across the globe.”