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36Kr has learned from multiple industry sources that Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology (SEVB) has clinched deals to supply batteries for Li Auto’s M7 and M8 models, as well as “Kunlun,” Xiaomi's third EV model.
When 36Kr reached out to Sunwoda for confirmation, the company responded that it could not disclose details due to confidentiality agreements.
Currently, the Chinese battery industry is dominated by Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and BYD, with CALB in third place, while companies like Eve Energy, Gotion High-Tech, SEVB, and Svolt Energy Technology jockey for position.
For two years, a relentless price war has raged in the automotive market, with batteries at the epicenter of cost-cutting strategies. Second-tier battery manufacturers, led by CALB, face increasing pressure to lower prices, sometimes even selling at a loss to stay competitive.
One insider revealed to 36Kr that Xiaomi’s latest vehicle is highly cost-driven, a factor that played a crucial role in SEVB securing the contract. The price? Below RMB 0.60 (USD 0.08) per watt-hour. In more extreme cases, Zenergy's aggressive pricing—offering battery cells below RMB 0.35 (USD 0.05) per watt-hour—secured them a major supply role with Leapmotor.
This intense competition is seeing second-tier manufacturers encroach on orders previously monopolized by CATL. For example, Nio has introduced CALB as a secondary supplier, and Li Auto has brought in SEVB and Svolt to supply batteries for certain models. Therefore, for second-tier battery manufacturers, the competition is both brutal and opportunistic.
<h3>About Sunwoda</h3>
Founded in 1997, Sunwoda initially made its mark in battery pack production for consumer electronics, supplying brands like Apple, Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo. The company went public on the ChiNext board in 2011. In 2014, as new energy vehicles (NEVs) gained popularity, Sunwoda established SEVB, which focuses on both pack and cell manufacturing.
SEVB has attracted significant investment from companies such as Li Auto, Nio, Xpeng Motors, SAIC Motor, GAC Group, Dongfeng Motor, and investment giants like IDG Capital, Shenzhen Capital Group, and the National Green Development Fund. A final financing round in June 2023 valued the company at RMB 36 billion, although its ChiNext listing application has since expired.
SEVB has carved out a niche in the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) market, maintaining the top spot for three consecutive years according to SNE Research. Although HEVs have a small market share in China, the demand for high charging rates has driven SEVB's development of fast-charging technology.
Among second-tier battery companies, SEVB stands out for its fast-charging technology. In 2022, SEVB’s SFC480 battery was installed in the Xpeng G9, marking a significant milestone.
This year, SEVB introduced the third version of its fast-charging battery at the Beijing Auto Show. Available in both lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and ternary lithium versions, the new battery can achieve a peak charging rate of 6C, reaching 80% state of charge (SOC) in just ten minutes. Despite these advancements, the Xpeng G9 remains the only mass-produced model using SEVB's fast-charging technology.
SEVB serves over 34 vehicle models across 18 clients, including major players like Li Auto, Xpeng, Leapmotor, Geely (including its Zeekr, Galaxy, and Lynk &amp; Co sub-brands), Dongfeng, GAC, and SAIC. The company has also secured international deals, supplying batteries for Volkswagen's entire overseas hybrid series and Volvo's GPA series.
However, SEVB faces the challenge of a diverse but non-elite customer base, resulting in high volumes but low margins. The contracts with Li Auto and Xiaomi provide a breakthrough opportunity, potentially boosting SEVB's market position.
Li Auto, with its monthly sales of 30,000 units, is rapidly rising in the industry. The company plans to launch its all-electric models, including the Li Mega and three pure electric SUVs (M7, M8, and M9), in the first half of 2025. Li Auto's strategy focuses on solving range anxiety through fast-charging capabilities, which aligns well with SEVB’s fast-charging technology.
Previously, industry insiders analyzed that, while CATL's batteries could achieve certain charging rates at the cell level, SEVB could match them, with the only difference being CATL's thermal management design. However, SEVB’s market share largely depends on user acceptance of its products and brand. An insider told 36Kr that, despite Li Auto deploying SEVB’s batteries in the Air variant of its L8 model last year, annual sales barely exceeded 10,000 units.
<h3>Future prospects for EV battery manufacturers</h3>
The battery industry is poised for significant shifts. CATL rose to prominence by securing BMW’s orders and solidified its position with Tesla. Similarly, CALB’s growth was fueled by orders from GAC Group. SEVB’s trajectory mirrors these success stories, with substantial growth expected by 2025.
As fast-charging technology and high-capacity plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) gain traction, second-tier battery manufacturers like SEVB may find niche opportunities for growth. The rise of 4C and 5C fast-charging batteries, and the potential of 6C products from competitors like CALB and Eve Energy, signify an evolving market. SEVB, with its dedication to fast-charging technology and existing partnerships, is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends.
whereRelatedArticle
Winning Xiaomi’s orders also ties into the broader industry shift towards hybrid cars. Xiaomi’s SU7, with its limited suppliers (CATL and BYD), demonstrated massive demand, with orders surpassing 100,000 units within a week of its launch. Rumors suggest Xiaomi’s third vehicle will be a HEV, a segment where SEVB has relevant expertise, thanks to its experience with Li Auto.
If Xiaomi's new models maintain their sales momentum and SEVB continues to secure major orders, its shipment volumes could see a significant increase. SEVB’s total battery shipments in 2023 were 11.66 GWh. A single model from Xiaomi could add 2 GWh annually, marking a substantial boost.
The dynamics of the battery industry can change rapidly with just one or two major orders. SEVB's path resembles those of industry giants, and the results should be evident by 2025.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2827558717082112">article</a> was written by Han Yongchang for 36Kr.

Sunwoda clinches battery deals with Li Auto and Xiaomi

China Tech

Electric Vehicles

Battery

Mobility

China

… growth stage.
According to PCMI, the Latin American e-commerce market is developing rapidly and expected to exceed USD 509 billion in value in 2023, up 27% over 2022 and with a CAGR of 23% through 2026. Additionally, although the annual growth rate of Latin American e-commerce will slow compared to the growth rates exceeding 35% in 2021 and 2022, the growth trend remains robust. The region's internet penetration rate has surpassed 85%, and e-commerce penetration has reached 66%.
The report shows that convenience, affordability, and speed are important factors in Latin American consumers' online shopping decisions. Specifically, 70% of consumers pay more attention to product prices and description accuracy when shopping online, and 60% care about the discount strength of products. The median price of various categories in Latin America is concentrated between USD 30–40, with the median price of the top 1,000 products being USD 32.17.
Despite the regulatory rollercoaster, Chinese products remain highly favored by Latin American consumers. According to data from JPMorgan Chase, most cross-border goods in Latin America come from China, the US, and Japan, with Chinese goods accounting for as much as 62%, about 2.6 times that of the US. Compared to mature e-commerce markets like China, the return rate of e-commerce purchases in Latin America is relatively low. According to 2022 data from Statista, the return rate in the Chinese market is 66%, while in Brazil, it is only 31%. Another report from the Mexican Association of Online Sales (AMVO) stated that the local return rate for e-commerce products is only 20%.
Consumers' desire for cost-effectiveness and low return rates underline the potential of the Latin American e-commerce market. The performance growth of Latin American e-commerce platform Mercado Libre is a prime example. Its financial report shows that, in the fourth quarter of 2023, Mercado Libre's revenue reached USD 4.261 billion, a year-on-year increase of 42%, the fastest quarterly growth since the third quarter of 2022. Its GMV reached USD 13.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 29%, the highest level since the second quarter of 2021.
Brazil and Mexico account for half of the Latin American e-commerce market. Brazil also ranks as one of the top regions for per capita internet usage time on mobile devices, only behind China, India, and the US. As the usage time of mobile internet grows, Brazil's online shopping usage time has also increased to the third highest globally, continuously driving the penetration rate of e-commerce in Latin America, based on data as of 2021.
Before opening the Brazil site, Temu's online business had already entered Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Uruguay, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Puerto Rico, covering major national markets in the Latin American region. Brazil is clearly a country Temu cannot miss on its path to globalization. However, the rapid pace of policy change will test the company’s ability to adapt comprehensively and accordingly.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2823311947926024">article</a> was written by Leslie Zhang for 36Kr.

Temu’s LATAM expansion stymied by Brazil’s complex tax policies

Temu

East Asia

E-commerce

Consumer Economy

Latin America

Brazil

… suddenly narrowed as a result.
Due to this rapid convergence, Chinese AI chip manufacturers were able to quickly get started with tuning and adapting their large models. More importantly, at this time, they were able to start on level ground with other international players.
Currently, with Nvidia's strict prohibition on running CUDA on other AI chip hardware platforms, coupled with the further tightening of US chip bans and the global shortage of computing power, Chinese large model software companies struggle to obtain the most cutting-edge GPU chips. Therefore, the first pain point to resolve is figuring out how to migrate existing large models to new computing platforms.
Given the urgent demand for computing clusters in large model training, Chinese AI chip companies are now committed to strengthening their cluster capabilities. Taking Biren with its GPGPU architecture as an example, 36Kr said customers have provided feedback that Biren's SUPA managed to complete practical application migrations in a short time with software team support, and its performance in mainstream open-source large models has shown promising results.
If AI chip manufacturers can provide easy-to-use and low-cost migration tools, and offer comprehensive model adaptation capabilities as well as mature cluster deployment experience, rapid implementation of large models becomes feasible.
Industry insiders also told 36Kr that several Chinese companies, including Biren, have already completed adaptation for most domestic open-source large models, accumulating substantial experience in deploying 1,000-card clusters, and the time for self-developed model adaptation by Chinese large model partners has significantly shortened.
36Kr also learned that, besides helping users quickly migrate from CUDA to the SUPA ecosystem, large model companies can also leverage Biren’s architectural features and SUPA's capabilities to extend the CUDA ecosystem, further enhancing performance.
By developing everything from the bottom up, Biren can maximize its hardware advantages, ensuring that its software stack can always be optimized, iterated, and adjusted regardless of changes from hardware to terminal applications.
Under the current stronghold, apart from the chip layer, localization is actively being promoted across the large model software, computing power, and cloud computing layers as well.
AI chip companies, as the foundational building blocks of the overall AI ecosystem, seek to deeply cooperate with large model, framework, and cluster companies to maximize overall performance.
For example, Biren has not only partnered with framework developers like PaddlePaddle to not only meet enterprise users' development needs in line with international standards, but specifically tailor solutions to be compatible with the domestic environment, providing a smoother integration path for Chinese AI companies.
Simultaneously, Biren has also partnered with Chinese computing power optimization players like Infinigence, further driving the localization of AI computing in an efficient manner.
To resolve bottlenecks in the ecosystem, Biren is promoting its software platform by building computing power platforms, open-sourcing related tools and libraries, and opening upper-level models. It is carrying out joint adaptation and optimization with framework and large model partners to establish ecosystem collaborations, and also promoting implementation through various means like research cooperation with universities, research institutions, and end customers.
Software is undoubtedly the most challenging barrier to break through, and it is currently the consensus focus of all major AI chip companies. By making concerted efforts across industry, academia, and research, breakthroughs can be achieved. For instance, Zhejiang University's AI teaching platform Mo uses Biren’s hardware and software resources as the foundation for teaching practice, providing students with practical opportunities and sowing the seeds for the long-term development of the domestic software ecosystem.
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
Undoubtedly, computing power has become the battleground of the AI era, with its severe shortage constraining the development of AI technology in various countries.
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman once reportedly said that “computing power will be the currency of the future,” suggesting that the development of AI will transpire into a massive power struggle between companies, organizations, and even countries.
whereRelatedArticle
Currently, Nvidia's GPU hardware, thanks to its advantages in CUDA software, is highly sought after by the market and has long been in a state of undersupply. And the rise of large models replacing deep neural networks as the new generation of AI technology just gives China's AI chip players a rare opportunity to play catch-up.
Looking back over the past two decades, the reason why Nvidia has been able to dominate the AI era is due to its first-mover advantage in the field of AI, leveraging the wave of deep learning to achieve a strategic advantage over Intel with the CUDA platform.
Now, a brand new path is about to emerge again. But this time, Chinese companies will be ready.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2774096074472452">article</a> was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.

Why software may be a bigger hurdle (than hardware) for semiconductor companies

Hardware

Deep Tech

Semiconductors

… film surface acoustic wave (TF-SAW) filters for radio frequency (RF), has completed a RMB 1 billion (USD 137.5 million) Series B funding round. The round was co-invested by a fund under China Mobile and the investment platform of the Wenzhou Bay New Area. The funds will primarily be used to integrate product design and production processes, reduce costs through iteration, and develop high-end products. —<a href="https://36kr.com/newsflashes/2837438336519041">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.hkvtech.cn/">Hangkai MicroTech</a>, a developer of force sensor products, has completed an angel round of financing, raising tens of millions of RMB. FreesFund was the sole investor for this round, with Kaiyuan Capital acting as the exclusive financial advisor. The funds will be used primarily for product development, market expansion, and team growth. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/2833406948296969">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent funding deals in India:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.rocketlane.com/">Rocketlane</a>, a customer onboarding and project management platform, has raised USD 24 million in a Series B funding round co-led by 8VC, Matrix Partners India, and Nexus Venture Partners. This brings Rocketlane's total funds raised to USD 45 million. The capital will be used to accelerate the firm’s AI roadmap and develop advanced features and capabilities for client project delivery.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://agnext.com/">AgNext Technologies</a>, an agritech company based in India, has secured an undisclosed amount of investment from Novo Holdings. The funding will help AgNext develop AI-based food quality assessment technologies and scale its product sales internationally. Founded in 2016, AgNext operates in India and the UAE, focusing on digitizing food chains for transparency and profitability.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rupeek, an online gold loan platform, has secured INR 1.25 billion (USD 15 million) in primary funding from Elevation Capital. This is part of a new funding round, following a previous USD 6 million investment by 360 One Large Fund in May. Rupeek plans to close the round at around INR 2.5 billion (USD 30 million) and will use the funds to scale its operations and enhance its market presence. —Entrackr</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.matter.in/">Matter</a>, an electric mobility startup, has raised INR 826 million (USD 9.9 million) in its maiden equity funding round. The investors include the Japan Airlines &amp; Translink Fund and Info Edge-backed Capital 2B Fund, among others. Matter plans to use the funds to expand operations, distribution, and factory setup for its premium electric bikes. The company launched its first bike in early 2023 and began pre-orders in May 2023. —Entrackr</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.zyod.com/">Zyod</a>, a Gurugram-based B2B platform for apparel sourcing and manufacturing, has raised USD 18 million in a Series A funding round led by RTP Global. The funding will support Zyod’s geographical expansion and technological advancements. —Entrackr</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.cloudphysician.net/">Cloudphysician</a>, a health tech startup, has raised USD 10.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Peak XV Partners, with participation from Elevar Equity and Panthera Peak. The funds will be used to expand the startup’s AI platform and operations. —Entrackr</li>
<li aria-level="1">CheQ, a Bengaluru-based credit management firm, has secured INR 185 million (USD 2.2 million) in an extension to its USD 4.5 million seed funding round. The funds will be used for growth, expansion, marketing, and general corporate purposes. Founded in 2022, CheQ helps customers manage and pay credit card bills and equated monthly installments (EMIs) on a single platform. —Entrackr</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.bluestone.com/">Bluestone</a>, an omnichannel jewelry retailer, has raised INR 1 billion (USD 12 million) in debt financing from Neo Markets. This follows a previous debt round completed earlier this year. Bluestone aims to raise USD 100 million in a pre-IPO round, with the funds used to grow its revenue and narrow losses. The Bengaluru-based company operates over 190 stores across 75 cities and plans further expansion. —Entrackr</li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>k-ID, Pawprints Group, Opilot, and more led yesterday’s headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.k-id.com/">k-ID</a>, a Singapore-based startup that provides a cross-platform, instant sign-on solution for kids and teens, announced a USD 45 million Series A funding round. The round was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with additional support from Konvoy, Tirta, Okta, and Z Venture Capital (LY Corporation).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Pawprints Group, a Singapore-based company specializing in “biologically ideal and allergy-friendly pet nutrition,” announced an extension to its seed funding round led by Asia Fund X (AFX), an opportunity fund supported by MSW Ventures and anchored by Pavilion Capital.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.opilot.ai/">Opilot</a>, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup focusing on data privacy and protection, raised an undisclosed amount of pre-seed investment from Iterative Capital.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.

Deals in brief: Samsara Eco bags USD 65 million, Mekari acquires Jojonomic, Hozon Auto files for Hong Kong IPO, and more

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Indonesia

Southeast Asia

India

Oceania

Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into business operations has been one of the most discussed and challenging issues lately. The main problem? Implementation.
A solution gaining traction is linking ESG to performance appraisals and executive compensation. Essentially, ESG is getting incorporated into the objectives and key results (OKRs) set for company executives. Several large companies are already doing this. For example, Lego and Ant Group recently announced they would link ESG indicators to executive compensation.
In May, Lego announced that, from 2024 onwards, Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions, along with a small portion of Scope 3 (business travel), would be included in the bonus assessment mechanism for all employees, including company executives. The company added that the scope of Scope 3 assessments may be expanded in the future. Ant Group also stated in its <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240612743798/en/">2023 sustainability report</a> that it would include risk management and ESG sustainability in the company’s annual assessment and link it to executive compensation.
For effective implementation, ESG must transition from being the responsibility of a single department to a company-wide priority. Incorporating ESG into OKRs is a crucial step in advancing its implementation. Transitioning ESG from a floating strategy to individual-focused OKRs is likely to trigger significant change within companies, introducing a new set of challenges, doubts, pains, and opportunities.
<h3>What’s the right way to manage ESG as a business?</h3>
Imagine this: CEOs are holding lengthy meetings, spending over five hours individually reviewing each business executive’s ESG OKRs. This scenario sounds inefficient, but it happens in real life within companies. While executives are well-versed in business, their expression of ESG-related OKRs often remains immature. Some only talk about visions and values, while others directly copy business indicators. This reflects that the executives are still in the early stages of understanding and integrating ESG into business operations and require a period of adjustment.
This is understandable. For both companies and individual executives, there aren't many mature examples to follow for implementing ESG. Large companies generally use methods like OKRs and compensation assessments because they are relatively mature business management practices, applying them to ESG management to create more potential for integration.
In recent months, ESG policies and standards have been frequently introduced by Chinese companies, and they have been actively strengthening their ESG management under this wave of certainty. One noticeable trend is the significant increase in the number of newly established ESG committees. According to Shanghai Securities News, 36 A-share companies established new ESG committees or converted their board's strategic committees to ESG committees in the first quarter of 2024.
This has brought changes to overarching organizational structures, but the outside world is more concerned about whether these moves are merely superficial or genuinely capable of promoting ESG implementation. 36Kr noted that experts and scholars have suggested the establishment of an ESG performance assessment system as an important criterion for evaluating the effectiveness of ESG committees.
For companies, linking ESG indicators to executive compensation is just the first step in establishing this new performance assessment system.
<h3>Don’t let perfection become ESG’s enemy</h3>
Transformations inevitably lead to controversy and even resistance, especially when it involves personal finances. 36Kr has learned that some companies' ESG teams experience tough conversations when trying to convince business executives to accept the incorporation of ESG indicators: the business side questions why carbon reduction performance is their responsibility and what ESG has to do with business.
This situation is changing. The ESG trend is becoming more certain, with discussions about the integration of ESG and business increasing across industries, and the commercial benefits of ESG are also gradually becoming apparent. These factors make the value of ESG more evident across various dimensions and highlight its relevance to operations.
In practice, business units are more cooperative with ESG work than before: they actively provide data, show greater concern for the company's ESG report preparation progress, and hope their work can be included in the report.
From updating governance structures and setting ESG indicators combined with business to actual changes, some companies are gradually finding a path for ESG implementation. However, many companies remain the silent majority, not systematically advancing ESG work, with ESG still seen as the responsibility of a single team rather than being genuinely integrated with business departments and daily operations.
Linking ESG performance with business executives' compensation in various companies provides a practical methodology for many companies that want to do ESG but struggle to find the right approach.
When idealistic ESG becomes an OKR-based performance appraisal, some might find this method crude. But in reality, companies cannot achieve perfect ESG implementation in one step. Expecting perfection from the start may be too demanding. Starting with OKRs may not be perfect, but it can serve as a powerful tool for companies to manage ESG and promote its true implementation.
For companies doing ESG, perhaps it’s about first completing it, then perfecting it.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2827712212191744">article</a> was written by Xue Xiaowan for 36Kr.

How should companies integrate ESG considerations into their business?

Climate

… be most effective is at this stage now," before the bill hits the House floor.
A flashpoint in the debate—and a potential sign of things to come—came when Florida banned its public safety agencies from using Chinese drones last year, drawing criticism from first responders and some lawmakers.
"I'm not going to let one officer risk his or her life because somebody thinks that these things talk to China," Florida senator and former K-9 officer Tom Wright said during a Senate committee hearing last year before the ban took effect. "I cannot imagine what China would really want to see when we pull over a DUI (driving under the influence), when we stop a speeding car, when we arrest somebody for an outstanding warrant."
Several first responders testified at the hearing about safety concerns regarding the alternative drones approved by the Florida government, including one incident in which a replacement drone caught fire in a deputy's patrol vehicle.
Cook also said he is skeptical about the risks that Congress has raised over Chinese drones.
"Even if they were trying to do something like that, there's nothing the drone sees that you and I can't see with Google Earth," he added. "That argument didn't have a lot of weight with me."
Matt Sloane, founder and CEO of drone dealer Skyfire in Atlanta, Georgia, is another critic of Florida's approach.
"We have dozens of clients in Florida. I've seen what happens when you do outright bans and it's very detrimental to public safety agencies and to the people they support," Sloane said. "We've seen a lot of agencies who had burgeoning drone programs that they can't use [anymore]. … A lot of agencies in Florida don't have the budget to replace their Chinese aircrafts."
The state has proposed reimbursing local law enforcement departments for grounding Chinese drones, but the program is on hold pending approval. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement did not respond to a request for comment.
"We're all about supporting American products and American made manufacturing, but the hard part is the technology is just not at that level yet," said Michael Shove, assistant chief of the Guilford Fire Department in Connecticut. "Price points are important too. … I think even with tariffs, [Chinese drones] will still be cheaper and higher quality."
Connecticut tried to introduce a similar ban on Chinese drones as Florida, but the state legislature didn't pass it.
But for Sloane, the drone dealer in Atlanta, the trend is only going one way. "The reality is that more restrictions are coming."
This article first appeared on <a tabindex="0" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-Spotlight/DJI-to-the-rescue-U.S.-police-want-China-drones-despite-Washington-clampdown" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="1">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing <a tabindex="0" href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-token-index="3">partnership with Nikkei</a>.

DJI to the rescue? US police want China drones despite Washington clampdown

Drones

… companies, with their engineering and cost advantages, have the potential to overtake them.
Expanding capacity is the most direct method. Traditional peptide production mainly uses solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), which is automated with high product yield and purity. However, it has clear disadvantages, such as purification difficulties and long cycles. For example, the solid-phase synthesis of the long peptide semaglutide, which has more than 30 residues, takes more than two weeks. Since there is limited room for process improvement, capacity is mainly expanded by building plants. On the other hand, peptide CDMOs have economies of scale, and suitable synthesis methods can potentially reduce costs.
Companies already benefiting from GLP-1 products, such as WuXi AppTec and Asymchem, are naturally among the most active participants. WuXi AppTec's new capacity expansion projects at its Changzhou and Taixing bases went into operation in January this year, increasing the volume of solid-phase peptide synthesis reactors to 32,000 liters. Asymchem's total solid-phase synthesis capacity was 10,250 liters at the end of last year and expected to increase to 14,250 liters in June. Additionally, Hybio Pharmaceutical and Tide Pharmaceutical have also disclosed new capacity expansion plans.
Developing new processes has also become a breakthrough direction for some companies. For example, Asymchem recently told investors that it is actively promoting peptide CDMO business development and strengthening the capacity reserves of new technologies such as liquid-phase synthesis. This method is closer to small-molecule synthesis, not constrained by solid-phase capacity and synthesis efficiency, and helps control impurities and reduce costs. The company added that this could be "the future trend for large-scale peptide synthesis."
Furthermore, seeking listing and fundraising through the GLP-1 wave to gain more certain opportunities is not uncommon. For example, Tide Pharmaceutical, a peptide CRDMO company that filed for an IPO in Hong Kong at the end of May, already has nine R&amp;D orders from seven customers developing oral or injectable GLP-1 products and still aims to construct infrastructure, expand capacity, and develop customers.
Overall, unlike small molecule drugs and other drug forms, peptide companies are more dependent on suppliers. Apart from external factors such as investment scale and certification time, technical barriers also prevent companies from entering this field easily. For example, due to the complexity and interconnectivity of production and synthesis steps, peptide drugs require higher integration, usually needing a single company to complete the production process end-to-end, making it difficult to delegate the process.
For example, according to Tide Pharmaceutical's prospectus, the average cooperation time with its major customers is 14 years. From 2018 to 2023, its customer retention rate exceeded 97%, with no terminations due to cooperation with other CRDMO manufacturers.
In other words, no matter what actions are taken, peptide CDMOs that are already in the market will hold a competitive edge.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/2827496177076488">article</a> was written by Hu Xiangyun for 36Kr.

Riding GLP-1 wave, China set to lead the charge in peptide industry growth

Biotech

… https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Canterly-Sylvain-Bougerel-Nanda-Prins-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Canterly-Sylvain-Bougerel-Nanda-Prins-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Canterly-Sylvain-Bougerel-Nanda-Prins-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Canterly-Sylvain-Bougerel-Nanda-Prins.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-148950" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of Sylvain Bougerel (left), co-founder and CTO of Canterly, and Nanda Prins, founder and CEO of the equestrian-focused startup. Photo source: Nanda Prins via <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nandaprins_sg16-b2b-b2b2c-activity-7211216545560023040-d5PD/">LinkedIn</a>.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>VidAU secures angel funding to enhance AI video creation capabilities</h3>
<a href="https://www.vidau.ai/">VidAU</a>, an AI-powered video creation platform, has secured angel funding from River Jin Technology to further develop its algorithms and AI models. The financial details of this deal were not disclosed.
In a statement, the company said its platform simplifies the process by enabling users to create videos using lifelike avatars and a suite of video editing features.
<h3>D2C brand creator Dachin reportedly secures seed funding</h3>
<a href="https://www.dachineg.com/">Dachin Etech Global</a>, a Singapore-headquartered D2C brand creator, has secured an undisclosed sum of seed funding from Northstar Ventures, according to regulatory filings accessed by DealStreetAsia.
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<h3>Recent deals completed in China:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://en.jheat.com.cn/">Jheat Technology</a>, a Shanghai-registered temperature control technology company, has secured an undisclosed amount in an angel funding round from Qingyuan Huaxin Investment. The capital will primarily be used for R&amp;D, enhancing product competitiveness, and market expansion. —<a href="https://36kr.com/newsflashes/2836250332908166">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">AnDiConBio, a developer of drugs designed to counteract respiratory infections, has completed a RMB 200 million (USD 27.5 million) Series A funding round. The round was jointly led by Simcere Pharmaceutical, Huajin Capital, and Huajin Dadao Investment, with follow-on investments from existing shareholders Cowin Capital and Jiaxing Xinchuang Venture Capital, and additional support from Jiaxing Jiarui Future Star Equity Investment, Jinshajiang United Runpu Medical Fund, Wenzhou Capital, Songze Capital, and Shunjie Jiankang. The funds will be used for the preclinical and clinical development of the company’s core product pipeline. —<a href="https://36kr.com/newsflashes/2836015262878337">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://en.advansol-power.com/">AdvanSol</a>, a developer of micro-string inverters for solar power systems, has completed an extended angel round of financing, led by Edge Ventures. The funds will be used for product development and talent acquisition to further enhance the company’s overall competitiveness. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/2833222556043524">36Kr</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Zeron, a new energy vehicle company, has secured nearly RMB 100 million (USD 13.7 million) in a Series A1 funding round. The investors include Momenta, Cherish Capital, Skyview Fund, and Guofa Wenxin. The capital will be used for the mass production and delivery of pure electric heavy trucks, R&amp;D of autonomous driving technology, and development of new vehicle models. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/2834975294835209">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
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<h3>Atome, Food Empire, Tiger New Energy, and more led yesterday’s headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Atome Financial, a digital financial technology platform under Advance Intelligence Group, has secured a three-year term debt facility from EvolutionX Debt Capital. The facility includes an accordion feature that could increase the total amount to up to USD 100 million.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Food Empire Holdings, a Singapore-based multinational food and beverage group, has bagged USD 40 million from private equity fund Ikhlas Capital. The investment will be made into a special purpose vehicle (SPV) wholly owned by the company that will hold or possess the option to hold a portfolio of business operations in Southeast Asia and South Asia.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://tigernewenergy.com/">Tiger New Energy</a>, a Bangladeshi clean energy startup, has raised an additional USD 1 million in funding from ADB Ventures, augmenting the USD 2.5 million seed round led by Wavemaker Partners in 2023. The investment will accelerate the deployment of Tiger’s battery swapping network across Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
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