NOVOMI VAX Limited is seeking investment to move an experimental cancer therapy from preclinical development towards testing in patients.
The Hong Kong company emerged from Professor Jiandong Huang’s laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong — 香港大學. Its technology is designed to help the immune system recognise and attack solid tumours that normally produce a weak immune response.
NOVOMI VAX says its first product candidate has completed pharmacodynamic, safety and toxicology validation. The company is now raising capital to launch an investigator-initiated clinical trial, or IIT.
It has not disclosed the size, valuation, investment terms or closing date of the round.
Turning “cold” tumours into “hot” tumours
Some solid tumours are described as “cold” because they contain relatively few immune cells capable of attacking the cancer. This can make them less responsive to existing immunotherapies.
NOVOMI VAX is developing an injection administered directly into the tumour. The treatment is intended to make cancer cells express antigens associated with external pathogens, creating a signal that attracts immune cells.
As the targeted cells die, they may release tumour-specific antigens and generate inflammation. The objective is to transform the tumour into a “hotter” environment that the immune system can identify and attack more effectively.
The company is also exploring whether the treatment could work alongside PD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors.
These results remain preclinical. A trial would begin determining whether the approach can be administered safely and whether its biological effects can be reproduced in people.
NOVOMI VAX’s proposed treatment is designed to attract immune activity into solid tumours. The mechanism remains preclinical and has not yet demonstrated efficacy in patients.
What the investment would support
NOVOMI VAX says the funding would support an investigator-initiated clinical trial led by a researcher or medical institution.
Moving into clinical development requires more than producing the treatment. The company may need to finance clinical-grade manufacturing, regulatory preparation, hospital coordination, patient monitoring, data collection and additional safety work.
NOVOMI VAX has not published the proposed trial design, clinical institution, number of participants or expected starting date.
From HKU research to a private company
NOVOMI VAX was incorporated in Hong Kong in October 2025.
In May 2026, the company won the MedTech Hackathon GBA with its broad-spectrum tumour-immunity platform. More than 60 multidisciplinary teams participated in the programme, which concluded with presentations at the Asia Summit on Global Health.
NOVOMI VAX later appeared in the summit’s InnoHealth Showcase, a platform connecting healthcare startups with investors and commercial partners.
The opportunity appears to be structured through private discussions rather than public crowdfunding. Interested investors would need to contact the company or its supporting Hong Kong investment network to obtain its fundraising documentation.
Information investors still need
Important details have not been disclosed publicly:
Target investment amount and valuation.
Proposed equity or financing instrument.
Clinical-development timetable.
Existing investors and ownership structure.
Intellectual-property arrangements with HKU.
Eligibility of individual and international investors.
Fundraising deadline.
NOVOMI VAX publicly describes itself as seeking investment, but that does not mean the opportunity will remain open indefinitely. Its status and terms should be confirmed directly before any evaluation.
Fundraising status: Open
Fundraising stage: Not publicly disclosed
Target amount: Not publicly disclosed
Deadline: Not publicly disclosed
Location: Hong Kong
Sector: Biotechnology and cancer immunotherapy
Planned use of funds: Investigator-initiated clinical trial
SAKIME
SAKIME tracks startups, emerging technologies and investment opportunities across East Asia.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, an offer or a solicitation to purchase securities. Interested investors should obtain the company’s official documentation and conduct independent legal, scientific and financial due diligence.
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Author: Adrià Mas Rodríguez