Beijing Qihe Biotech raises over $14M in Series A+ funding

What's the deal? Beijing Qihe Biotech (齐禾生科) has closed a Series A+ round worth over 100 million yuan (roughly $14M). CITIC Agriculture Industry Fund led the round, with Bailian Zhigao Capital, Xinjian Future Fund, Nanjing Innovation Investment GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and Xingbo Fund joining as co-investors. Kaicheng Capital served as the sole financial adviser.

The funds will go toward iterating on Qihe's core gene editing technology, advancing its product pipeline, commercialisation, and global market expansion.

Why now? Gene editing is gaining regulatory acceptance worldwide, particularly in agriculture — where several countries have eased rules around gene-edited crops. China has been actively building its domestic biotech capabilities, and this round signals continued investor appetite for homegrown gene editing platforms.

What could go wrong? Gene editing companies face long timelines from lab to market, especially when navigating regulatory approvals across multiple jurisdictions. Global expansion adds complexity — different countries have vastly different frameworks for gene-edited products, which could slow commercialisation.

The signal: The mix of backers here — a state-linked agriculture fund leading alongside a municipal innovation group like Nanjing Innovation Investment Group — underscores how gene editing in agriculture is being treated as a strategic, policy-driven priority in China rather than a purely commercial venture bet. For early-growth agri-biotech companies, that kind of institutional scaffolding can de-risk the long path from lab to field.

Read more: jiemian.com