The $68m raised by Createrna in a series A round was the biggest biotech financing deal backed by venture capital firms in China in September. Two other noteworthy fundings in the country involved cell therapy specialist Qihan Biotech and therapeutic cancer vaccine maker Neoantigen Therapeutics.

China biotechs appear increasingly interested in partnering with domestic counterparts amid signs the Chinese government's restrictive "COVID Zero" policies are likely to stay until well into 2023.