ByteDance has completed a $290 million financing for its newly spun-off AI
drug-discovery unit, Anew Labs, sources said on Wednesday. Shanghai-based Anew
Labs was valued at $1.5 billion post-money. Sequoia China, IDG Capital and
Hillhouse led the round, co-led by Wuyuan Capital; other investors include
Gaorong Capital, Chunhua Capital, Boyu Capital, strategic investor SBP Group and
the state-backed Shanghai Future Industry Fund. Sources said ByteDance spun off
the unit to better support its long-term development given the different
industry logic and management model for AI drug discovery and will hold a 56%
stake after the financing.