Ribo Biotech
Ribo Biotech (HKEX: 06938.HK) is a China-based, globally integrated siRNA drug developer that designs and advances clinical-stage RNA interference therapeutics for cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, liver, and rare diseases, generating revenue through licensing and milestone payments from global pharmaceutical partners including Madrigal, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Qilu.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersSuzhou, China
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ribo Biotech does
Ribo Biotech (Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd.; HKEX: 06938.HK) is a China-headquartered, globally integrated siRNA drug development company founded in 2007 in Kunshan, Jiangsu. The company operates a vertically integrated platform covering the full siRNA drug lifecycle — from sequence design and chemical modification through clinical development and global commercialization — anchored by four proprietary delivery technology platforms: RiboGalSTAR™ (GalNAc-conjugated liver-targeting, with 7 clinical programs), RiboOncoSTAR™ (tumor-targeting), RiboPepSTAR™ (extrahepatic delivery to kidney, CNS, adipose, and muscle), and RSC chemical modification technology. The pipeline includes RBD4059 (FXI siRNA for thrombosis, the world's first FXI-targeting siRNA in clinical development), RBD1016 (HBV/HDV with EMA Orphan Drug Designation), RBD7022 (PCSK9), RBD5044 (ApoC3), RBD7007/RBD2080 (complement C5/C3), and RBD1119 (thrombosis-related), addressing cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, liver, and rare diseases.
The company generates revenue exclusively through licensing and co-development arrangements with global pharmaceutical partners, including a $4.4 billion global MASH license with Madrigal Pharmaceuticals (February 2026), a $2 billion+ NASH/MASH collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim (January 2024), and a 700M+ RMB Greater China license with Qilu Pharmaceutical for RBD7022 (December 2023). Revenue streams include upfront payments, clinical and regulatory milestone payments, and tiered royalties; for assets with retained global rights (e.g., RBD4059, RBD1119), the company intends to pursue direct commercialization. The company maintains R&D operations in Kunshan, Beijing, and Gothenburg (Sweden), holds EU GMP certification for its Kunshan manufacturing facility, and operates clinical trials across China, EU, Australia, and Hong Kong. It completed an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on January 9, 2026.
Ribo employs 101–250 staff across its Kunshan headquarters, Beijing R&D sites, and Ribocure Pharmaceuticals AB subsidiary in Sweden. The leadership team includes co-founders Dr. Zicai Liang (Chairman & CEO) and Dr. Hongyan Zhang (Founding President), both trained at Uppsala University and Yale; Co-CEO Dr. Liming Gan (former AstraZeneca global VP, 20+ years CRM drug development experience); CBO Dr. John Taylor (former AstraZeneca, Pfizer); and CMO Dr. Anders Gabrielsen (Bayer, Novartis, AstraZeneca background). The company partners with academic institutions including Karolinska Institute, Uppsala University, University of Gothenburg, and Mayo Clinic, and has AI collaborations with Insilico Medicine and Pheiron to accelerate drug discovery and optimization.
Ribo Biotech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ribo Biotech
- Legal name
- Suzhou Ribo Life Science Co., Ltd.
- Website
- https://ribolia.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Ipo
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Ribo Biotech (HKEX: 06938.HK) is a China-based, globally integrated siRNA drug developer that designs and advances clinical-stage RNA interference therapeutics for cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, liver, and rare diseases, generating revenue through licensing and milestone payments from global pharmaceutical partners including Madrigal, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Qilu.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ribo Biotech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Oligonucleotide Therapeutics (siRNA Drugs)
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- siRNA Therapeutics (gene silencing) (HLAAADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- RNA Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Engineering (backbones, modifications, stereochemistry) (HLAAADAE), RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics) (HLAAADAG), mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC)
Keywords
Where Ribo Biotech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Suzhou
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ribo Biotech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Licensing and Milestone Payments: Ribo generates revenue through upfront payments, clinical development milestones, regulatory milestones, and sales-based royalties from platform and product licensing deals with global pharmaceutical partners. Notable deals include Madrigal (up to $4.4 billion), Boehringer Ingelheim (over $2 billion), and Qilu Pharmaceutical (over 700 million RMB).
- Product Development and Commercialization (Retained Rights): Ribo retains global commercial rights for products not out-licensed, including RBD4059 (FXI targeting, global rights) and RBD1119. Revenue would come from future product sales if approved.
- Collaborative R&D Funding: Strategic partnerships provide co-development funding and R&D cost sharing, particularly for co-development arrangements like those with Boehringer Ingelheim and Madrigal.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ribo Biotech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ribo Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and licenses small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics built on proprietary liver-targeting (RiboGalSTAR™), extrahepatic (RiboPepSTAR™), tumor-targeting (RiboOncoSTAR™) and chemical modification (RSC) platforms. The company operates a vertically integrated pipeline from early research through global clinical development, advancing seven clinical-stage drug candidates (RBD4059, RBD7022, RBD5044, RBD1016, RBD7007, RBD2080, RBD1119) targeting cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, hepatic and rare diseases, and monetizes these assets through licensing, milestone, and royalty arrangements with global pharmaceutical partners.
Product overview
Ribo Biotech is a globally integrated siRNA drug development company with a vertically integrated platform covering the full lifecycle from early research to commercialization. The core offering comprises proprietary delivery technology platforms — RiboGalSTAR™ (liver-targeting), RiboOncoSTARTM (tumor-targeting), RiboPepSTAR™ (extrahepatic organ-targeting), RiboCygnus™, RiboColorSTAR™, and RiboPLEX™ — complemented by the RSC chemical modification platform, Multi-Target Drug Development Platform, siRNA Sequence Design and Screening Platform, and Model-Informed Drug Development (MIDD) Platform. The pipeline includes multiple clinical-stage siRNA drug candidates: RBD4059 (FXI, thrombosis), RBD7022 (PCSK9, hypercholesterolemia), RBD5044 (ApoC3, hypertriglyceridemia), RBD1016 (HBV/HDV, hepatitis), RBD7007 (C5 complement, renal), RBD2080 (C3 complement, renal), RBD1119 (thrombosis-related, coronary artery disease), and additional preclinical candidates across cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, liver, and oncology indications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RiboGalSTAR™ Liver-Targeting Delivery Platform Proprietary GalNAc-conjugated siRNA liver-targeting delivery technology enabling precise and effective delivery to hepatic tissues, with seven programs advanced into clinical development and clinically validated safety, efficacy and long-acting profile. Licensed as a standalone platform asset to global pharmaceutical partners.
- RiboPepSTAR™ Extrahepatic Delivery Platform Molecular conjugation-based delivery platform enabling siRNA targeting to kidneys, CNS, adipose tissue, and muscle, with up to 80% gene knockdown in proximal tubular cells and 96% knockdown in adipose tissue demonstrated in NHP models. Licensed as a standalone platform asset to global pharmaceutical partners.
- RiboOncoSTAR™ Tumor-Targeting Delivery Platform First extrahepatic delivery technology offering targeted delivery to various tumor tissues including glioma and pancreatic cancer, with superior anti-tumor effects and safety profiles versus standard-of-care demonstrated in preclinical studies. Licensed as a standalone platform asset to oncology partners.
- RSC (Ribo Stabilization Chemistry) Chemical Modification Platform Iterative siRNA chemical modification technology based on systematic studies of degradation mechanisms, sequence activity, off-target rules and durability, synergizing with delivery technologies to enable lower dosing and prolonged duration. Licensed as a standalone platform asset to global pharmaceutical partners.
- RBD4059 (vortosiran) GalNAc-siRNA drug targeting coagulation factor XI (FXI) for the treatment of thrombotic diseases; the world's first and most advanced siRNA targeting FXI in clinical development (First-In-Modality). Phase I completed in Australia and Phase IIa approved by EMA with all participants enrolled. Ribo retains global commercial rights.
- RBD7022 GalNAc-siRNA drug targeting PCSK9 for treatment of hypercholesterolemia, inhibiting PCSK9 expression to reduce LDL-C levels. Phase I completed in China, Phase II ongoing; licensed exclusively to Qilu Pharmaceutical for development, manufacture and commercialization in Greater China. Phase III being initiated. Ribo retains ex-China global rights.
- RBD5044 GalNAc-siRNA drug targeting ApoC3 for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia; the second siRNA globally to enter clinical development targeting ApoC3. Phase I completed in Australia with favorable safety and robust long-acting effects supporting quarterly or bi-annual dosing; Phase II clinical trial application approved by EMA.
- RBD1016 First GalNAc-siRNA based on RiboGalSTAR™ for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), covering genotypes A-E and I, also being developed for chronic hepatitis D (CHD). Showed strong and sustained HBsAg reduction up to 6 months in Phase II studies. Phase II MRCT ongoing in Sweden and Hong Kong; received EMA orphan drug designation for HDV in October 2025.
- RBD7007 GalNAc-siRNA targeting complement component C5 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases including renal and autoimmune diseases. Demonstrated robust and long-duration pharmacological effects in cynomolgus monkeys. Phase I clinical trial application approved by EMA.
- RBD2080 GalNAc-siRNA targeting complement component C3 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases including renal and autoimmune diseases. First-in-human Phase I clinical trial application approved in Australia.
- RBD1119 siRNA drug targeting a thrombosis-related factor for treatment of coronary artery disease. Phase II clinical trial application submitted to EMA in May 2026. Ribo retains global rights.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7 clinical-stage siRNA programs in Phase I/II
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Ribo Biotech
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ribo Biotech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
Ribo Biotech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered important, core and foundational.
- Insilico Medicine (英矽智能)importantStrategic AI+siRNA collaboration leveraging Insilico's Pharma.AI platform and automated biology labs alongside Ribo's siRNA technology and development capabilities. Covers target discovery, drug design and optimization, AI-assisted drug R&D and clinical translation. Insilico became Ribo's first high-throughput experimental service partner for LifeStar 2 automated lab platform in 2025. This strategic upgrade builds on prior collaboration integrating AI algorithms with siRNA development.
- Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.coreGlobal exclusive license agreement for six pre-clinical siRNA programs targeting metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Ribo granted Madrigal exclusive worldwide rights for R&D, manufacturing and commercialization of the programs. Ribo receives $60 million upfront payment with potential milestones and royalties totaling up to $4.4 billion, plus tiered royalties on net sales. Madrigal, the company behind the first FDA-approved MASH drug (Rezdiffra/resmetirom), gains access to Ribo's liver-targeting siRNA platform for multi-mechanism MASH treatment.
- PheironimportantAI-assisted RNA drug development collaboration using Pheiron's advanced AI platform (PheironGPS) to accelerate Ribo's RNA therapeutics pipeline. First two milestones achieved in March 2025, demonstrating early success in applying AI to siRNA target identification and sequence optimization.
- Boehringer IngelheimcoreMulti-target collaboration for developing siRNA therapeutics for NASH/MASH and broader liver diseases. Ribo contributes its RIBO-GalSTAR™ liver-targeting platform and early-stage research capabilities. Boehringer Ingelheim contributes its cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic disease (CRM) expertise and global clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Deal includes upfront payment, clinical and regulatory milestones, and tiered sales royalties totaling over $2 billion. Multiple milestones achieved including third milestone in May 2026.
- Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (齐鲁制药)coreExclusive license agreement for RBD7022 (PCSK9-targeting siRNA) in Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau). Qilu obtained rights for clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization in the Greater China region. Ribo retained ex-China global rights. Deal valued at over 700 million RMB including upfront and milestones plus tiered royalties. Phase II completed with 204 patients; Phase III planned to start in China.
- Ionis PharmaceuticalsfoundationalStrategic collaboration with global oligonucleotide pharmaceutical leader Ionis, USA (announced April 2017). This collaboration established Ribo as a recognized partner in the global oligonucleotide field and contributed to technology platform development. Product ISIS560131 (antisense oligonucleotide for prostate cancer) was developed under this partnership with exclusive rights for China development and commercialization.
- Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (美国夸克制药)foundationalStrategic collaboration established in 2012 to form a joint venture company (Suzhou Ribo Quark) for siRNA drug development. Under this partnership, QPI-1007 became China's first approved siRNA drug for clinical trials (IND approved December 2015). Joint venture company Ribo Quark received $7 million first-round financing in November 2013.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ribo Biotech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Silence Therapeutics: London-listed siRNA developer with the mRNAi GOLD platform, focused on cardiometabolic and rare diseases with partnered programs (e.g., with AstraZeneca, Hansoh). Directly comparable to Ribo in modality, target organs (liver via GalNAc), and business model (platform licensing and product development).
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals: The leading antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) platform company and a foundational Ribo partner since 2017. Ionis overlaps with Ribo in oligonucleotide-based drug development for cardiometabolic, hepatic, and rare diseases, and serves as a comparable platform licensor with multiple approved products.
- Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals: US-based siRNA developer with the TRiM (Targeted RNAi Molecule) platform for extrahepatic and liver delivery. Comparable to Ribo in pursuing cardiometabolic and liver indications, with overlapping targets (e.g., HBV, cardiovascular targets) and a similar platform-plus-product licensing business model.
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: The global leader in siRNA therapeutics and the pioneer of GalNAc liver-targeted delivery, with multiple approved products (Onpattro, Givlaari, Oxlumo, Leqvio, Amvuttra). Alnylam is the most directly comparable competitor to Ribo's RiboGalSTAR platform and overlaps in cardiometabolic, liver, and rare disease indications.
- Wave Life Sciences: Clinical-stage oligonucleotide therapeutics company with a stereopure PRISM platform. Wave is comparable to Ribo as a platform-driven oligonucleotide developer pursuing hepatic, neurological, and rare disease targets, though Wave focuses on ASO and RNAi silencing modalities.
- Ractigen Therapeutics: China-based siRNA drug developer with a GalNAc platform and pipeline in rare diseases and oncology. Closest Chinese direct competitor to Ribo in modality, platform approach, and disease focus, and an alternative origination source for MNCs seeking China siRNA assets.
- Sanegene Bio: China-based siRNA biotech with a GalNAc delivery platform and pipeline targeting cardiometabolic and renal diseases. Directly comparable to Ribo as a domestic Chinese siRNA developer pursuing similar indications with similar chemistry and delivery approaches.
Emerging players
- Vir Biotechnology: Clinical-stage immunology company developing siRNA and other modalities for chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D. Directly comparable to Ribo's RBD1016 program in HBV/HDV and represents a focused competitor in the same infectious disease liver space.
- Argo Biopharmaceutical: China-based siRNA developer with a delivery platform and pipeline spanning cardiovascular, metabolic, and rare diseases. Comparable to Ribo as another Chinese siRNA originator competing for BD deals and clinical development resources within China.
Broad incumbents
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Novo Nordisk): Dicerna's GalXC siRNA platform was acquired by Novo Nordisk in 2021, creating an integrated large-pharma siRNA capability. Relevant as a broad incumbent that has absorbed a direct siRNA peer, illustrating both the strategic value of siRNA platforms and the competitive threat from large-pharma integration.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ribo Biotech social profiles
Digital presenceRibo Biotech compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Ribo Biotech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ribo Biotech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Ribo Biotech subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Ribo Biotech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ribo Biotech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ribo Biotech
What does Ribo Biotech do?
Ribo Biotech is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and licenses small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics built on proprietary liver-targeting (RiboGalSTAR™), extrahepatic (RiboPepSTAR™), tumor-targeting (RiboOncoSTAR™) and chemical modification (RSC) platforms. The company operates a vertically integrated pipeline from early research through global clinical development, advancing seven clinical-stage drug candidates (RBD4059, RBD7022, RBD5044, RBD1016, RBD7007, RBD2080, RBD1119) targeting cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, hepatic and rare diseases, and monetizes these assets through licensing, milestone, and royalty arrangements with global pharmaceutical partners.
Is Ribo Biotech a public or private company?
Ribo Biotech is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently ipo.
When was Ribo Biotech founded?
Ribo Biotech was founded in 2007. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Ribo Biotech based?
Ribo Biotech is headquartered in Suzhou, China, in the Asia region.
How does Ribo Biotech make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing and Milestone Payments are the primary driver. The others are product Development and Commercialization (Retained Rights) and collaborative R&D Funding.
Who are Ribo Biotech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Silence Therapeutics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Wave Life Sciences, Ractigen Therapeutics and Sanegene Bio. Emerging players are Vir Biotechnology and Argo Biopharmaceutical. Dicerna Pharmaceuticals (Novo Nordisk) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Ribo Biotech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ribo Biotech.
What industry is Ribo Biotech in?
Ribo Biotech's product category is Oligonucleotide Therapeutics (siRNA Drugs). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAADAB, siRNA Therapeutics (gene silencing), with a secondary code of HLAAADAE, RNA Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Engineering (backbones, modifications, stereochemistry). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2834.