SHANGHAI & TEL AVIV, Nov. 2, 2020 – The RunYoung Technology Transfer Center (“RunYoung” or “the Fund”) launched with a $50M fund dedicated to investing in Israeli early-stage life sciences companies that have expansion aspirations in China. Early stage life science funding in Israel has nearly doubled over a five year period, from $700M in 2015 to $1.3B YTD in 2020, with around 150 new companies being formed each year, making this a fast-growing sector.
The Fund has an extensive network of strategic partnerships that its portfolio companies can leverage in order to penetrate the Chinese market. These include several top Chinese pharmacological and medical device companies, such as Sinopharm, Shanghai Pharma, and Kangji Medical, as well as leading Technology Transfer Organizations in Israel such as Yissum, Mor and Sheba.
The Fund also announced a new strategic partnership with CW Data to create a one-stop big data solution for the healthcare sector. CW Data is a joint venture between China Electronics Data Service Co., Ltd. (CECD) and WuXi AppTec, a leading life sciences technology platform, with 10,000 employees and operations in both China, United States, Europe, and Asia. RunYoung and CW Data will pool resources and explore a flexible cooperation model to streamline the introduction of cutting-edge technologies and medical treatments to China.
“Israel plays a pivotal role in global life sciences innovation” said Roger Lu, Founder & Chairman of the RunYoung Technology Transfer Center fund. “Our new strategic partnerships, including with CW Data and others, will facilitate the introduction, incubation, and commercialization of these technologies in China, which will ultimately benefit Chinese patients.”
RunYoung has already invested in three Israeli life sciences companies and several research projects originated at various Technology Transfer Offices. The Fund boasts both Israeli and Chinese advisory consulting teams, including a Nobel Prize winner, scientists, physicians and key thought leaders from leading medical and pharma companies and the CFDA. The Fund is managed in Israel by Dr. Benny Zeevi a veteran of the Israeli life sciences industry.
“Israel is a tiny market with a world-leading innovation ecosystem, while China is a massive market in need of innovation,” said Dr. Benny Zeevi. “With a fantastic team in place capable of identifying the most cutting-edge life science technologies early, RunYoung will be a bridge that will connect Israeli startups with the ever-growing Chinese market.”
About RunYoung
RunYoung is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in Israeli life science companies. It has strategic partnerships with leading pharmacological, medical device companies, and TTOs in China and Israel. The Fund boasts both Israeli and Chinese advisory consulting teams, including Nobel Prize winners, scientists, physicians and key thought leaders from leading medical and pharma companies and the CFDA. Read more about RunYoung here: https://runyoung.tech/en/