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§ Public · Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Visen Pharmaceuticals is a technology company.
Visen Pharmaceuticals develops and commercializes innovative therapies for endocrine diseases. Utilizing Ascendis Pharma A/S's TransCon technology platform, it holds exclusive rights to drug candidates like lonapegsomatropin, palopegteriparatide, and navepegritide. The company integrates research, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization to deliver leading therapeutic solutions.
Founded November 7, 2018, Visen Pharmaceuticals emerged from a joint venture among Ascendis Pharma A/S, Vivo Capital, and Sofinnova Investments. The core insight introduced Ascendis Pharma’s advanced TransCon technology and endocrinology pipeline to the Greater China market. This initiative addresses unmet medical needs for patients in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
The company targets endocrine patients of all ages, including those with rare conditions, providing access to reliable therapeutic solutions. Visen Pharmaceuticals’ vision is to become a leading and preferred partner in innovative endocrinology across the region. It aims to accelerate world-class treatments for Chinese patients, enhancing clinical outcomes and overall quality of life.
Visen Pharmaceuticals has raised $190.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Visen Pharmaceuticals has raised $190.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Visen Pharmaceuticals has raised $190.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $150.0M Series B in January 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2021 | $150M Series B | Hongshan Capital Group (Sequoia Capital China) | Qiming Venture Partners, Vivo Capital, Michael Wolff Jensen, CDG Capital, Cormorant Asset Management, HBM Healthcare Investments, Logos Capital, OrbiMed, Pivotal Bioventure Partners China, Sherpa Healthcare Partners, Sofinnova Investments | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2018 | $40M Series A | — | Qiming Venture Partners, Vivo Capital | Announced |
Visen Pharmaceuticals has raised $190.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Visen Pharmaceuticals's investors include Hongshan Capital Group (Sequoia Capital China), Qiming Venture Partners, Vivo Capital, Michael Wolff Jensen, CDG Capital, Cormorant Asset Management, HBM Healthcare Investments, Logos Capital, OrbiMed, Pivotal bioVenture Partners China, Sherpa Healthcare Partners, Sofinnova Ventures.
The premise of your query contains an inaccuracy: Visen Pharmaceuticals is not a technology company—it is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing endocrine disease treatments.
Visen Pharmaceuticals is an innovative biopharmaceutical company committed to treating endocrine-related diseases.[2][4] Rather than building software or technology products, Visen develops pharmaceutical therapies licensed from its parent company, Ascendis Pharma, specifically tailored for the greater China market. The company serves patients suffering from endocrine disorders and aims to bring FDA-approved and European-approved medicines to Chinese patients who currently lack access to these treatments. Visen's growth momentum has been significant: the company raised approximately $190 million in funding before its public market debut, including a $150 million Series B round in early 2021.[1]
Visen Pharmaceuticals was formed in 2018 by Ascendis Pharma and an investor syndicate led by Vivo Capital.[1] The company was created as a strategic spinout to develop and commercialize Ascendis' endocrinology pipeline specifically for the greater China region. Leadership is headed by CEO Pony Lu, who previously served as president of Takeda's China unit and held leadership roles at Servier's Taiwan, China, and France operations, as well as at AstraZeneca Taiwan.[1] This experienced management team brought deep pharmaceutical industry expertise and regional market knowledge to the venture.
Visen exemplifies a growing trend of specialized biotech spinouts focused on geographic market expansion. Rather than competing globally, Visen leverages a parent company's R&D investments while focusing exclusively on a high-growth market with significant unmet medical needs. This model allows Ascendis to expand its market reach while maintaining focused operations. The timing is favorable: China's healthcare system is increasingly willing to approve innovative therapies, and endocrine diseases represent a substantial patient population with limited treatment options. Visen's success influences the broader ecosystem by demonstrating that specialized regional biotech ventures can attract institutional capital and achieve public market exits.
Visen is positioned to capture significant value by bringing world-class endocrine therapies to a market of over 1.4 billion people with limited access to these treatments. The company's near-term focus is obtaining Chinese regulatory approval for its lead assets, particularly the pediatric growth hormone deficiency drug already approved by the FDA.[1] Long-term, Visen may expand its pipeline beyond Ascendis-licensed assets or explore additional partnerships. The company's success will largely depend on navigating Chinese regulatory timelines and building market awareness among physicians and patients—challenges distinct from those faced by global biotech firms.