C-MER MEDICAL (03309) plans to invest approximately 1.13 billion yuan to enter the field of ophthalmic gene therapy in China through technology layout.

C-MER MEDICAL (03309) announced on May 20, 2026, that its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Hong Kong (International) Ophthalmology Medical, entered into an investment and share transfer agreement with the target company, Beijing Zhongyin Technology Co., Ltd., intending to make a total investment of 112.625 million yuan by subscribing to new shares and acquiring old shares, and acquiring approximately 10.23% of Zhongyin Technology's enlarged issued share capital. According to the announcement, the transaction includes Hong Kong (International) Ophthalmology Medical subscribing to 653,700 new shares of Zhongyin Technology, representing approximately 6.72% of the enlarged share capital, at a price of 90 million yuan; and acquiring a total of 342,400 shares of Zhongyin Technology from Weidu Investment, Suzhou Jingsuo, Hetang Innovation Fund, Hehui Biotechnology, and Guangzhou Heywin, representing approximately 3.51% of the enlarged share capital, at a total cost of 22.625 million yuan. It is reported that the target company was established in 2016 according to Chinese law, with Professor Yang, a renowned expert in ophthalmic genetics, as its founder. The company is mainly engaged in ophthalmic innovative gene therapy research and development in China, focusing on major blinding eye diseases such as genetic retinal degeneration and Age-related Macular Degeneration. Currently, there are four pipeline products in the clinical stage, mainly focusing on innovative gene therapy for genetic retinal degenerative diseases for which there are currently no approved treatments, including BCD and Stargardt disease. Its core pipeline product is ZVS101e injection for BCD gene replacement therapy, which during clinical trials, obtained breakthrough therapy designation from the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration of China and regenerative medicine advanced therapy certification from the FDA. The target company completed the third phase of clinical trials for ZVS101e with the National Medical Products Administration in April 2026 and is currently preparing to submit the relevant biologics license application, with approval for ZVS101e expected in the first half of 2027 in China. The directors believe that this transaction represents an attractive strategic investment, allowing the group to potentially become the first gene therapy provider in China and the second globally by investing in a leading ophthalmic gene therapy startup. If regulatory approval is obtained, using the "1+" mechanism in Hong Kong, the group expects to introduce the target group's pioneering ophthalmic gene therapy into Hong Kong for registration in an expedited manner. This strategy is highly complementary to the group's commitment to providing the latest and highest quality ophthalmic treatment for patients in need.