ABOUT
MAGICRNA
Introduction
Shenzhen MagicRNA Biotechnology Co., Ltd., founded in 2021, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering next-generation mRNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies to expand the reach of RNA-based medicines. The company’s proprietary Engineered Cell-Targeted LNP (EnC-LNP) platform enables precise delivery of mRNA into non-antigen-presenting cells (non-APCs) outside the liver, overcoming a key limitation of conventional liver-targeted LNPs.
MagicRNA is establishing itself as a global leader in the field of engineered cell-targeted LNP–based therapeutics and is advancing a pipeline of in vivo cell-reprogramming therapeutics and cell-targeted LNP–based medicines for immune-related diseases.Its in vivo CAR T program, based on EnC-LNP, has entered clinical trials as the first cell-targeted LNP globally to reach first-in-human studies. Clinical results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September 2025.
Explore our science
Our Leadership
Dr. Gavin Zha
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Gavin Zha brings over 15 years of deep expertise in mRNA delivery and drug development with translational capabilities across chemistry, materials science, biology and immunology.His academic contributions include pioneering antibody-conjugated LNPs and co-authoring a seminal paper on click chemistry with Nobel Laureate K. B. Sharpless. Dr. Zha also possesses extensive industrialization experience from his tenure at HEC Pharm. Recognized as a "Hundred Talents Program" scholar at Sun Yat-sen University and a recipient of the Municipal Science and Technology Progress First Prize, he holds over 10 LNP-related patents.
Dr. Tina Xiao
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Tina Xiao combines a strong foundation in clinical medicine with advanced training in immunology, dedicating over a decade to translational research in autoimmune diseases. Trained in the laboratories of renowned immunologists Prof. Lieping Chen, she brings deep biological and immunological expertise complemented by clinical experience. At MagicRNA, Dr. Xiao has leveraged this dual background to lead the R&D team in successfully engineering our cell-targeted LNP platform. Under her leadership, the team developed pipelines based on the LNP and cell-targeted LNP platform, with the lead candidate HN2301 demonstrating safety and preliminary efficacy in human trials. Dr. Xiao has also managed multiple national and provincial research grants and authored over a dozen peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals.
Dr. Maixing Ai
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Maixing Ai holds an M.D. with a specialization in Rheumatology and Immunology from the University of Lübeck, Germany, and has authored or co-authored over 60 publications and books on immune diseases. With more than 22 years of clinical trial experience—including over 12 years dedicated specifically to rheumatology—he offers comprehensive expertise spanning IND filings, Phase I–IV trials, medical monitoring, regulatory affairs, and process optimization. Prior to joining MagicRNA, he served as Senior Medical Director at Covance/Fortrea, leveraging 16 years of global CRO experience and a decade of collaboration with global clinical centers to contribute to the approval of over 20 new drugs. His clinical trial portfolio covers a broad spectrum of autoimmune indications and cell & gene therapy. Dr. Ai possesses a robust KOL network in rheumatology and is highly well-versed in NMPA, FDA, and EMA regulatory frameworks.
Frank Wang
Chief Operations Officer
Frank Wang is a chemical engineering graduate of the South China University of Technology, bringing over two decades of senior management experience in the life sciences and chemical industries. Prior to joining MagicRNA, he served as General Manager for South China at J&K Scientific (Bailingwei) and as CEO of Topfun Technology, where he led teams to achieve annual sales revenues exceeding RMB 60 million and RMB 20 million, respectively. At MagicRNA, Frank oversees daily operations, internal systems, finance, HR, and regulatory compliance. He plays a pivotal role in utilizing his extensive academic and industrial network to drive operational efficiency, foster collaboration, and ensure sustainable corporate growth.
Jordan Zhu
Chief Business Officer
Jordan Zhu brings more than two decades of biopharmaceutical leadership experience across business development, corporate strategy, portfolio management, and cross-border transactions. Over the course of his career in the United States and China, he has led and executed multi-billion-dollar licensing and strategic transactions, co-development partnerships, and venture spin-outs spanning innovative therapeutics and platform technologies. Prior to joining MagicRNA, Jordan held senior business development, alliance management, and strategic leadership roles at Leads Biolabs, Innovent, Amgen, Regeneron, and Pfizer. He brings deep experience in building strategic partnerships and translating innovative science into global development and commercial opportunities. Jordan holds an MBA in Finance from the Zicklin School of Business, an MS in Biotechnology from St. John’s University, and undergraduate degrees in Molecular Genetics and Religious Studies from the University of Rochester.
Our Experts
Prof. Georg Schett, MD
Chief Medical Advisor
Prof. Georg Schett serves as Chief Medical Advisor to MagicRNA’s Advisory Committee. A globally renowned rheumatologist and pioneer in autoimmune CAR-T therapy, he was the first physician to successfully apply autologous CAR-T cell therapy to refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with landmark studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and Nature Medicine. He currently serves as Vice President of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and Director of Rheumatology and Immunology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. Having authored over 1,000 papers (H-index: 155) and received Germany’s highest research honor, the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, Prof. Schett brings unparalleled expertise to MagicRNA. He provides strategic leadership in clinical research, pipeline development, and FDA regulatory communications, accelerating the clinical translation of our in vivo CAR-T therapies into clinical practice.
Keith E. Gilmer, MD
Regulatory & Clinical Strategy Advisor
Dr. Gilmer is a key advisor to MagicRNA, bringing over three decades of combined experience in clinical practice, academic medicine, pharmaceutical industry leadership, and regulatory review. Dr. Gilmer received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. His unique perspective is shaped by prior roles as Senior Director of Immunology Development at Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson) and a Medical Officer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); his expertise spans the entire lifecycle of immunology therapeutics, from clinical development to global commercialization. At MagicRNA, Dr. Gilmer provides strategic counsel on clinical trial design, IND preparation, and regulatory interactions, ensuring robust and efficient development pathways for our autoimmune disease pipeline. His experience with both the scientific and regulatory landscapes is instrumental in accelerating the translation of our RNA therapies into clinical practice.
Investors
Development History
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2026 FinancingJun 2026
Series B Financing Completed
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2025 FinancingOct 2025
Series A Financing Completed
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2025 ClinicalSep 2025
HN2301 First-in-Human Data Published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM)
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2025 FinancingJul 2025
Pre-A+ Financing Completed
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2025 ClinicalMar 2025
Lead Candidate HN2301 Dosed in First-in-Human (FIH) Trial
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2023 FinancingDec 2023
Pre-A Financing Completed
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2023 TechnologyOct 2023
T-Cell Targeted Delivery Platform Validated in Mouse and NHP Models
Demonstrated specific and efficient T-cell targeting in preclinical studies.
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2022 TechnologyNov 2022
Engineered Cell-Targeted Delivery Platform Initiated
First T-cell targeting antibody discovery program launched.
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2022 FinancingApr 2022 · Oct 2022
Angel & Angel+ Financing Completed
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2021 FoundationDec 2021
MAGICRNA Founded
