Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) commends Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng’s three decades of pioneering research and celebrates Yiviva’s recent partnership with AstraZeneca China

The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) proudly recognizes the exceptional contributions of Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng, AFCR Scientific Advisory Board Member, and Henry Bronson Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine at Yale University. Dr. Cheng’s unwavering commitment over the past thirty years has led to the establishment of Yiviva, a clinical-stage platform biotechnology company dedicated to developing transformative medicines targeting cancer and aging-related diseases.

AFCR was the early champion behind Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng’s pursuit of applying a systems biology approach to treating cancer by harnessing the polychemical and multi-targeted benefits of medicinal plants—our long-term support fruit through Yiviva’s new partnership with AstraZeneca China. This partnership connects Yiviva with AstraZeneca’s Innovation Campus (iCampus), state-of-the-art facilities, expertise, and ecosystem to accelerate the development of innovative systems biology medicines by gaining insights from ancient medicines. It provides further validation of Dr. Cheng’s pioneering approach to learn from traditional, experience-based medicines, using modern science to develop future medicines and have a profoundly positive impact on cancer patients.

AFCR was one of the early funders when Dr. Cheng first launched Yiviva, investing in his vision of “WE Medicine” – fusing Western and Eastern wisdom and science. Additional backing from AFCR empowered Yiviva’s growth into a clinical-stage company developing botanical drugs against cancer. Yiviva’s lead drug YIV-906 is currently in Phase IIb trials for hepatocellular carcinoma with a data readout expected in 2024. YIV-906 has been tested in multiple Phase I/II clinical trials in liver, pancreatic, colorectal, or rectal cancers, with early clinical research findings suggesting that YIV-906 could improve both efficacy and safety for standard treatments, prolong survival, and improve the quality of life for patients.

Dr. Cheng has a vision for developing multi-targeted, systems biology medicines powered by medicinal plants, which is now showing real promise to drive improved patient outcomes. Yiviva’s expanding global ties underscore the vast potential of this research path. Sustained support from AFCR helped facilitate continued progress, now marked by Yiviva’s collaboration with pharma leader AstraZeneca.

The agreement between Yiviva and AstraZeneca China marks a significant milestone for Yiviva. The collaboration aims to co-develop systems biology platforms and innovative botanical medicines, aligning with AFCR’s mission to advance breakthrough cancer research in Asia and beyond. Dr. Cheng’s vision of WE Medicine, harmonizing the best practices of both Western and Eastern medicine, aligns seamlessly with the collaborative efforts of Yiviva and AstraZeneca. The potential to create a new paradigm for systems biology drug development holds promise for patients worldwide.

Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng’s achievements are a testament to the impact of sustained support for innovative research. AFCR is proud to have played a role in supporting his groundbreaking work, and we are excited to see Yiviva’s strategic collaboration with AstraZeneca because of this collective effort,” said Dr. Sujuan Ba, President and CEO of the Asian Fund for Cancer Research.

Yiviva’s CEO, Peikwen Cheng, expressed gratitude for AFCR’s early support, stating, “The seed investment from AFCR was instrumental in launching Yiviva, and we are thankful for their foresight and commitment to advancing cancer research. Today’s collaboration with AstraZeneca is a testament to the impact of sustained support in driving innovation and breakthroughs.”

About AFCR:

The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is a non-profit organization committed to advancing cancer research through strategic investments, collaborations, and partnerships. AFCR focuses on supporting innovative research initiatives with the potential to impact cancer outcomes in Asia and globally. For more information, please visit www.afcr.org.

About Yiviva:

Yiviva is a clinical-stage platform biotechnology company co-founded by Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng, dedicated to developing systems biology medicines for aging-related diseases, including cancer and inflammatory diseases. The company’s strategic investors include the Asian Fund for Cancer Research and other key partners. For more information, please visit www.yiviva.com.