Likang Life Sciences

What Likang Life Sciences does

Likang Life Sciences (北京立康生命科技有限公司) is a Beijing-based, privately-held clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing personalized cancer immunotherapies based on tumor-specific neoantigens. Founded in 2017 by Chen Li PhD (scientist, CAS Institute of Biophysics) and Zhang Yongkang (serial investor, formerly HSBC Beijing Chief Representative), with Jia Mingming MD/PhD as CSO, the company maintains offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Singapore and a headcount in the low double digits.

The company's core technology is an integrated platform combining AI-driven neoantigen prediction (LNEA), high-throughput antigen/TCR screening (HATSP), in-vitro transcribed mRNA, and an automated cGMP closed cell production system. Its lead asset LK101 Injection is an mRNA-DC vaccine that encodes patient-specific tumor neoantigen targets into dendritic cells, claimed to be the first personalized neoantigen vaccine globally to enter clinical trials for liver cancer. LK101 received NMPA clinical trial approval in March 2023 (China's first personalized neoantigen vaccine to enter clinical stage), FDA IND approval in February 2025 (China's first FDA-approved AI+ personalized mRNA tumor vaccine), and Hainan Boao Lecheng approval in April 2025 (first in-vivo personalized tumor vaccine dosing in China). A randomized Phase II trial in advanced lung cancer across 20+ centers initiated in September 2025. The pipeline also includes LK201 (neoantigen-specific adoptive T-cell therapy), LK301 (public TCR-T covering >90% of Chinese population), and LK401 (personalized TCR-T).

Likang operates a pre-commercial business model: revenue will eventually come from pharmaceutical product sales of approved personalized tumor immunotherapy drugs through hospital-based specialty distribution. The current go-to-market is clinical and regulatory-driven, with IIT data and Phase I/II trials at top-tier Chinese oncology hospitals (PLA General Hospital, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Cancer Hospital CAMS, West China Lecheng Hospital) supporting IND filings and eventual commercialization. A June 2026 groundbreaking in Beijing E-Town establishes commercial-scale manufacturing capacity. Primary customers are patients with advanced solid tumors (lung cancer, liver cancer, melanoma) who have failed standard treatments, including late-line and post-surgical adjuvant settings. The company has disclosed no product revenue to date.

Name

Likang Life Sciences

Legal name

北京立康生命科技有限公司

Website

https://likanglife.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Likang Life Sciences is a Beijing-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing personalized tumor neoantigen immunotherapies, with lead asset LK101 (an AI-designed mRNA-DC vaccine) in NMPA, FDA, and Lecheng-approved trials for advanced solid tumors including lung cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Cancer Immunotherapy

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAAABAF

Dendritic Cell & Other APC-based Therapies

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Cell Therapy (autologous/allogeneic)

SECONDARYHLAAABAC

CAR-T & TCR-T Therapies

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Cell Therapy (autologous/allogeneic)

SECONDARYHLAAANAK

Personalized Therapeutic Design (neoantigen vaccines, individualized cell/gene therapies)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Precision Medicine Solutions

SECONDARYHLAAABAA

Cell Therapy Developers (Autologous)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Biotechnology & Biologics/Cell Therapy (autologous/allogeneic)

Keywords

• Personalized cancer immunotherapy
• Neoantigen mRNA vaccines
• Dendritic cell therapy
• TCR-T cell therapy
• Tumor-specific neoantigens

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Likang Life Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company developing personalized tumor immunotherapy drugs. Its primary revenue model will be through the commercialization of approved novel drugs, initially targeting hospitals and clinical centers in China and internationally. The company's product pipeline includes personalized neoantigen mRNA-DC vaccines (LK101), neoantigen-specific T cell therapies, and TCR-T products. As a pre-commercial company focused on clinical-stage assets, it has not yet generated product revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Likang Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing personalized tumor immunotherapies targeting tumor-specific neoantigens. Its core offering is LK101 Injection, an AI-powered personalized neoantigen mRNA-dendritic cell (DC) vaccine that transduces mRNA encoding patient-specific tumor mutations into dendritic cells to activate tumor-specific T cells. The company also has a pipeline of T-cell therapies (LK201, LK301, LK401) and proprietary platforms for neoantigen prediction (LNEA), high-throughput screening (HATSP), and automated cell production.

Product overview

Likang Life Sciences operates as an innovative biopharmaceutical company developing a comprehensive portfolio of personalized tumor immunotherapy products. The core product LK101 Injection is an AI-powered personalized neoantigen mRNA-DC vaccine (LK-Neo DC) that transduces mRNA encoding patient-specific tumor antigen targets into dendritic cells. The product pipeline includes multiple T-cell therapy products: LK201 (Neo-ACT, neoantigen-specific adoptive T cell therapy), LK301 (Public TCR-T for broad population coverage), and LK401 (Personalized Neo TCR-T). These products are supported by four technology platforms: LNEA™ (AI-powered neoantigen prediction), HATSP™ (high-throughput screening), IVT mRNA platform, and large-scale automated cell production platform. The company leverages AI algorithms to identify neoantigens from patient tumor mutations and develops personalized mRNA vaccines and cell therapies to activate patient immune systems against cancer cells.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LNEA™: AI-powered tumor neoantigen epitope analysis platform used as the cornerstone for neoantigen-targeted therapy development
• HATSP™

Products and services

• LK101 Injection (LK-Neo DC) Personalized neoantigen-targeted cancer vaccine combining mRNA technology with dendritic cell (DC) vaccine. Encodes personalized tumor antigen targets based on dozens of patient-specific tumor mutations into dendritic cells, activating tumor-specific T cells and establishing immunological memory for long-term anti-cancer effects. Indicated for advanced solid tumors including lung cancer, liver cancer, and melanoma.
• LK201 (LK-Neo ACT) Neoantigen-specific T cells for adoptive cell therapy. T cells are stimulated, activated, and amplified in vitro using selected neoantigen epitopes as targets, then reinfused into patients for treatment of solid tumors.
• LK301 (LK-Public TCR-T) Public TCR-T product targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAA) such as NY-ESO-1, designed for the general population. Constructed TCR-T vector pool covering more than 90% of Chinese population through HLA-restricted T cell clone development.
• LK401 (LK-Neo TCR-T) Personalized TCR-T product targeting neoantigen-specific epitopes. Higher specificity than public TCR-T with more selectable targets. Second-generation product under development.
• LNEA Platform (Likang Neoantigen Epitope Analysis) AI analysis platform using deep learning algorithms for effective prediction of neoantigen epitopes from tumor genome mutations. Continuously optimizes through accumulated clinical and laboratory data. Applied as the cornerstone for tumor-specific neoantigen targeting therapy development.
• HATSP Platform (High-throughput Antigen/TCR Screening) High-throughput platform for tumor neoantigen identification and TCR high-throughput screening, used in combination with LNEA platform for personalized TCR-T product development.
• IVT mRNA Technology Platform
• Large-scale Automated Closed Cell Drug Production Platform cGMP-compliant, large-scale automated closed cell culture unit for development and production of different types of cell therapy products, supporting the company's pipeline of T-cell therapies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% 5-year survival rate in early-stage liver cancer patients treated with LK101 as adjuvant therapy (IIT)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peking University Cancer Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Second Affiliated Hospital, CAS Excellence in Molecular Cell Science Innovation Center, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (多家三甲医院及顶尖科研院所)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026As part of the National Science and Technology Major Project on 'Solid Tumor Therapeutic mRNA Vaccine R&D and Clinical Application', Likang partnered with Cancer Hospital CAMS (lead), Peking University Cancer Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Second Affiliated Hospital, CAS Excellence in Molecular Cell Science Innovation Center, and National Institutes for Food and Drug Control to advance solid tumor mRNA vaccine development, clinical application, and quality evaluation.
• National Science and Technology Major Project Office / National Health Commission of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026As a core participating unit in the national science and technology major project 'Major Tumor Prevention and Control New Technology Integration Promotion Research (Shanxi Plan)', Likang is involved in integrating cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technologies to build a regional, standardized, and replicable tumor prevention and treatment system in Shanxi province.
• Beijing Gene+ Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd. (吉因加)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Likang Life Sciences and Gene+ signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shaoxing on December 10, 2025. The partnership is driven by a 'testing + treatment' dual-engine approach, jointly promoting the clinical translation and application of tumor mRNA neoantigen vaccine technology. Gene+ brings its compliant detection platform built on years of clinical trial testing experience and millions of patient sample testing capabilities, providing data, AI neoantigen prediction systems, and prognostic monitoring solutions to enable the mRNA vaccine technology. Both parties aim to leverage their complementary advantages in clinical translation and application.
• Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pioneer Zone Administration (海南博鳌乐城国际医疗旅游先行区管理局)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2025Likang Life Sciences signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Lecheng Pioneer Zone Administration as a first-batch signing enterprise. The partnership enables Likang to conduct clinical research and translational application of biomedical new technologies at Lecheng, leveraging the zone's '4特许' (special franchise) policy advantages including special medical, research, operations, and international exchange permissions. This enables faster regulatory approval pathways and real-world data applications for Likang's innovative therapies.
• West China Lecheng Hospital of Sichuan University (四川大学华西乐城医院)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 April 2025Likang's personalized tumor vaccine LK101 was administered to the first patient at West China Lecheng Hospital in Hainan's Boao Lecheng Zone on April 27, 2025, marking the first domestic personalized tumor vaccine dosing in China. The hospital served as the clinical application site under Lecheng's special regulatory pathway.
• Prof. Wang Jie, Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (中国医学科学院肿瘤医院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Prof. Wang Jie, Director of Internal Medicine at Cancer Hospital CAMS and Dean of CAMS Cancer Hospital Shanxi, serves as the principal investigator for the LK101 Phase II registration clinical trial for advanced lung cancer, covering 20+ clinical centers nationwide.
• Beijing Cancer Hospital (北京大学肿瘤医院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Beijing Cancer Hospital served as a co-investigator site for the LK101 Phase I clinical trial (CTR20232018) for advanced solid tumors. Prof. Kong Yan from the hospital's Renal Cancer and Melanoma Department visited Likang in June 2021 to explore deeper collaboration.
• Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (中国医学科学院肿瘤医院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was a co-investigator site for the LK101 Phase I clinical trial (NCT06054932) for advanced solid tumors. Prof. Wang Jie from this hospital serves as the principal investigator for the Phase II registration trial for advanced lung cancer. The hospital also led the national science and technology major project on solid tumor mRNA vaccine in which Likang is a core participating unit.
• P4 Precision Medicine Accelerator (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Nathan McNally, Co-founder of the UK P4 Precision Medicine Accelerator, visited Likang's Yizhuang R&D lab in November 2023 to explore potential cooperation and European business development. P4 is a cross-institutional organization led by UCL's Institute for Precision Medicine, supporting UK small-to-medium life health companies with expertise in genomics, drug targeting, and AI. P4 is also exploring establishing its Beijing headquarters in Yizhuang.
• International Technology Transfer Network (ITTN) (国际技术转移协作网络)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023ITTN Secretary General Zhang Zhang and team accompanied P4 Precision Medicine Accelerator's visit to Likang in November 2023, facilitating international technology transfer and collaboration discussions.
• Tsinghua University (清华大学)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Prof. Zhang Xuegong from Tsinghua University's Department of Automation and Director Wang Xi from the Cross-Strait Research Institute visited Likang in February 2022 to explore cooperation in AI and bioinformatics. The visit laid the foundation for collaboration in AI-related fields and platform advantages. Likang's founder Chen Li is a Tsinghua SEM Global MBA alumnus.
• Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (清华大学经济管理学院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Tsinghua SEM 2025 GMBA program students visited Likang Life Sciences in May 2026 for an exchange activity aimed at bridging academia and industry, promoting industry-education integration, and enhancing management education with practical industry insights.
• University of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Prof. Jinbo Xu from the University of Chicago Toyota Technological Institute visited Likang in December 2021 to deliver a lecture on 'Deep Learning-based Protein Structure Prediction', exploring potential collaboration in AI-driven biotechnology research.
• Chinese PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital) (中国人民解放军总医院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Likang collaborated with Chinese PLA General Hospital starting in 2018 to conduct investigator-initiated clinical trials (IIT) of LK101 injection for postoperative liver cancer patients. The data showed good safety and tolerance, with no Grade 3+ drug-related adverse reactions and activation of anti-tumor neoantigen immune response in all patients.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• Personalis: Personalis provides genomic sequencing and neoantigen identification services used in personalized cancer vaccine development, with partnerships including Moderna. As a technology platform enabler for personalized cancer vaccines, it is comparable to Likang's LNEA AI neoantigen prediction platform in addressing the same upstream patient-specific antigen identification challenge.

Direct peers

• Adaptimmune Therapeutics: Adaptimmune develops engineered TCR-T cell therapies targeting solid tumor antigens, with Tecelra approved for synovial sarcoma. It directly overlaps with Likang's TCR-T programs (LK301 public TCR-T, LK401 personalized TCR-T) in terms of modality, target indications, and engineering approach.
• Carsgen Therapeutics: Carsgen Therapeutics is a leading Chinese cell therapy company developing autologous CAR-T therapies (e.g., zevorcabtagene autoleucel for multiple myeloma) with NMPA approvals. As a Chinese clinical-stage cell therapy peer, it competes for similar hospital partnerships, regulatory pathways, and capital markets attention as Likang.
• Moderna: Moderna's mRNA-4157 (V940), developed with Merck, is the leading personalized mRNA neoantigen vaccine in late-stage development, with pivotal Phase III data in melanoma. Like Likang's LK101, it encodes patient-specific tumor neoantigens identified through tumor sequencing, representing the closest therapeutic class competitor.
• BioNTech: BioNTech is the global leader in mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccines, with BNT122 (autogene cevumeran) in Phase II trials for melanoma and other solid tumors in partnership with Genentech/Roche. It is the most direct global comparable to Likang's LK101 mRNA-DC vaccine approach, both targeting tumor-specific neoantigens predicted from patient genomic data.
• Stemirna Therapeutics: Stemirna Therapeutics is a Shanghai-based mRNA therapeutics company developing personalized mRNA cancer vaccines (SWP1001 in clinical trials). It is the most direct Chinese competitor to Likang in personalized neoantigen mRNA cancer vaccines, sharing similar scientific foundations and competing for the same Chinese clinical and commercial markets.
• Gritstone bio: Gritstone bio develops personalized neoantigen cancer vaccines using self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) delivered via viral vectors, with lead asset GRANITE in Phase II/III. It shares Likang's core approach of AI-driven neoantigen prediction combined with mRNA delivery, though using a different vaccine format (viral vector + samRNA vs. mRNA-loaded DC).
• West Gene Biopharma: West Gene Biopharma is a Chinese biotech developing mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies and cell therapies, including personalized vaccine approaches. As a Chinese clinical-stage peer, it competes for talent, hospital partnerships, and government backing similar to Likang.

Broad incumbents

• Iovance Biotherapeutics: Iovance is the commercial leader in autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, with Amtagvi approved for melanoma. It represents a broader cell therapy incumbent in solid tumors, comparable to Likang in patient-specific autologous cell manufacturing infrastructure but using TILs rather than neoantigen-targeted T cells.
• GenScript Biotech: GenScript Biotech is a Hong Kong-listed global biotech providing cell therapy services, gene synthesis, and biopharmaceutical development. Its Legend Biotech subsidiary developed the blockbuster CAR-T therapy Carvykti, and its broader infrastructure (CDMO services, TCR platform) makes it a relevant ecosystem participant comparable to Likang's full-stack cell therapy approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Likang Life Sciences