AIM-HI Accelerator Fund celebrates Yiviva’s milestone collaboration with AstraZeneca China, furthering technology platforms for multiple cancers

Accelerating Innovation in Medicine – Health Initiative (AIM-HI) is proud to celebrate a significant milestone in the journey of one of its esteemed portfolio companies, Yiviva. A clinical-stage platform biotechnology company, Yiviva has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AstraZeneca China, a multinational biopharmaceutical leader.

AIM-HI exists to support bold new ideas in treating and preventing cancer. So when Yale Professor Yung-Chi Cheng approached us years ago about mining ancient Chinese herbs for modern therapies, we took notice. Other investors saw risk. We saw possibility. We decided to provide early capital to progress Dr. Cheng’s vision of a new biotech fusion calling “WE Medicine” –  integrating Eastern traditional medicine and Western clinical science. Our funding helped launch Yiviva to develop their plant-based formulas into cancer-fighting drug candidates.

Over the next four years, AIM-HI continued nurturing this startup’s growth with additional financing of more than $600,000 between 2018 and 2020, empowering the company to pursue innovative research initiatives focused on multiple cancers and proceeding with human trials. Meanwhile, our advisors guided Yiviva’s management team on executing its unique clinical strategy.

Yiviva advanced its lead compound YIV-906 into human trials showing early signs it could amplify other cancer therapies’ effects. Now studying YIV-906 across phase II trials in liver, pancreatic and other cancers, results suggest it stimulates anti-tumor immunity while protecting normal tissue. Beyond YIV-906, Yiviva’s pipeline contains multiple other botanical extracts undergoing preclinical analysis or early-phase testing as possible additions to standard chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation regimens.

AIM-HI’s sustained involvement is paying dividends. Yiviva recently inked a major partnership with pharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca to tap into its state-of-the-art facilities in China. This partnership designates global recognition of Yiviva’s pioneering work extracting and enhancing natural cancer-combating compounds.

For AIM-HI, this progress for Yiviva represents the realization of our mission to accelerate translation of new concepts from lab to patients. Yiviva’s focus on developing innovative medicines for cancer, aligns with AIM-HI’s vision of advancing breakthroughs in cancer research and bringing transformative therapies to patients globally. The collaboration with AstraZeneca China is expected to further Yiviva’s technology platforms, ultimately benefiting patients with a range of cancers.

“The collaboration between Yiviva and AstraZeneca is a significant milestone for AIM-HI and our commitment to advancing breakthrough discoveries in cancer research. Yiviva’s progress exemplifies the potential of strategic investments in propelling our portfolio companies towards multinational collaborations,” said Dr. Sujuan Ba, Presient and CEO of AIM-HI Accelerator Fund.

Peikwen Cheng, CEO of Yiviva, expressed gratitude for AIM-HI’s support, stating, “AIM-HI’s strategic investment has been crucial in advancing our research initiatives. Today’s collaboration with AstraZeneca China signifies a new chapter in our journey, and we are excited about the potential impact on cancer treatment globally.”

About AIM-HI:

AIM-HI, the Accelerating Innovation in Medicine – Health Initiative, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing breakthrough discoveries in cancer research and accelerating their translation to the clinic. AIM-HI supports strategic investments in portfolio companies with the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. For more information, please visit www.aim-hiaccelerator.org