HD Biosciences

HD Biosciences operates as a biology-centric, preclinical contract research organization (CRO), providing a technology and capability platform for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Xuehai Tan, who served as Chairman and CEO, the company established its headquarters in Shanghai, China, and later expanded with facilities in Beijing and San Diego. The business model is centered on offering comprehensive, integrated services that support drug discovery programs from initial target validation to preclinical development. Revenue is generated by providing these specialized research services on a contractual basis to a global client base, which includes major multinational pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms.

The company's service portfolio is extensive, covering the entire early drug discovery pipeline. Key offerings include target discovery and validation, leveraging an Advanced Gene Manipulation (AGM™) platform and CRISPR technology. HD Biosciences provides robust platforms for plate-based pharmacology, high-throughput screening, and hit-to-lead biology solutions. Furthermore, the company offers services in in-vivo pharmacology, with a large collection of over 500 disease models, and supports new modalities like targeted protein degradation and cell therapy. This integrated approach allows clients to outsource complex research projects, benefiting from the company's scientific expertise and established R&D infrastructure.

A significant milestone in the company's history occurred in January 2017, when it was acquired by WuXi AppTec, a major global open-access R&D platform. Following the acquisition, HD Biosciences became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WuXi, with Dr. Xuehai Tan taking on the role of Senior Vice President at WuXi AppTec while remaining President of HD Biosciences. This strategic combination was intended to enhance WuXi's R&D capabilities, particularly in biology-focused preclinical stages, by integrating HD Biosciences' specialized platforms. The acquisition also provided HD Biosciences with greater resources and global exposure, aiming to accelerate its growth and service expansion.

Keywords: contract research organization, preclinical drug discovery, biology services, target validation, in vivo pharmacology, high-throughput screening, hit identification, lead discovery, plate-based pharmacology, WuXi AppTec subsidiary, pharmaceutical services, biotechnology research, assay development, preclinical CRO, drug discovery services, Shanghai biotech, pharmacology screening, gene manipulation, disease models, integrated R&D services