MindRank secures US$52M Series B funding for AI-designed oral GLP-1 therapeutics

CHINA—MindRank has secured US$52m in Series B funding to accelerate the development of its artificial intelligence (AI)-designed medicines, led by its oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), MDR-001, which is currently in a Phase III clinical trial in China.

The Hangzhou-based biotechnology company said the new funding will strengthen its proprietary Molecule Arts Platform (MAP) and support both its clinical and preclinical pipelines.  

According to the company, the financing round was backed by a group of institutional and healthcare-focused investors.

MindRank developed MAP as an AI-native drug discovery engine that combines computational biology, chemistry, laboratory experiments, and clinical data into a single research platform.

The company believes this integrated approach can improve the speed, efficiency, and predictability of drug development.

The latest announcement also revealed that MindRank has obtained three investigational new drug (IND) clearances in China and the US and has nominated five additional preclinical candidates.

The company said MDR-001 progressed from project initiation to Phase III testing in about four and a half years, with cumulative research and development spending of approximately US$23 million.

“Our goal is to translate advances in computation and AI into better medicines for patients,” said Zhangming Niu, founder and CEO of MindRank.

Obesity remains the lead focus

MDR-001 entered a Phase III trial (NCT07274137) for obesity in 2025 and is also under clinical development for type 2 diabetes.

Beyond its lead candidate, MindRank continues to expand its obesity portfolio.

The pipeline includes a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) programme, a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) candidate, and two undisclosed obesity assets. The company is also advancing two oncology programmes.

The global obesity treatment market remains dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk through Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide).

Tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes in the US, while semaglutide is marketed as Ozempic for the same indication.

According to GlobalData, the obesity market across the seven major markets, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US, is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 32.3% through 2031.

Competition intensifies in China

China has become an increasingly important market for next-generation obesity therapies, particularly oral medicines.

Novo Nordisk recently confirmed plans to seek regulatory approval in China for its oral Wegovy formulation, while Eli Lilly has already submitted a marketing application for Foundayo (orforglipron).

Both companies already market injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro in the country.

Meanwhile, Chinese drug developers continue to make progress.

Vincentage Pharma reported positive Phase III results for its oral GLP-1RA for obesity in May 2026.

Earlier this month, Hengrui Pharma announced the successful completion of Phase III studies of its GLP-1RA in both obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Novo Nordisk is also partnering with United Laboratories to develop a triple-receptor agonist targeting the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.

The candidate achieved 19.7% weight loss in a Phase II study reported in February 2026, exceeding the weight reduction typically seen with injectable Wegovy.