Westlake Genetech Wins Championship at 2025 Novo Nordisk x ATLATL EntreStar

On September 10, 2025, the 2025 EntreStar Innovation Competition, co-hosted by Novo Nordisk China R&D Center and ATLATL Innovation Center, concluded successfully in Shanghai. Launched in March 2025, the competition narrowed down to five outstanding innovative teams for the finals following a rigorous preliminary round. Westlake Genetech stood out as the champion with its exceptional project performance.

About the Winning Project

Westlake Genetech is an innovative biotech company focused on leveraging AI to accelerate the research and development of next-generation gene therapies. Through the proprietary gene therapy technology platforms, the company has achieved significant technological breakthroughs in capsid engineering and payload redesigning, including novel AAV variants with tropism for T cells, CNS and muscle tissues, as well as optimized gene-editing tools.

Its AIdit-CAPSID delivery platform has generated a large library of AAV variants validated in non-human primates, enabling precise extrahepatic targeting. Notably, its AAV based in vivo CAR-T specifically targets human T cells in vivo through engineered AAV variants, achieving complete killing of human B cells. This innovation expands gene therapy indications from rare diseases to common conditions, enabling the development of safe, efficient, and accessible innovative gene therapies for rare diseases, tumors, autoimmune diseases, and other unmet clinical needs.

Professor Lijia Ma, Founder of Westlake Genetech, commented: “We sincerely thank Novo Nordisk for its support and recognition. Moving forward, leveraging the AIdit-CAPSID delivery platform, we will further expand the application boundaries of AAV gene therapy, bring accessible and efficient gene therapy solutions to more patients, and contribute our scientific and technological strength.”

About the EntreStar Innovation Competition

Launched in 2022 by Novo Nordisk China R&D Center and ATLATL Innovation Center, the EntreStar Innovation Competition invites innovative teams in the biomedical and biotechnology fields to submit innovative transformation projects. Each year, a global expert review committee, composed of representatives from both organizers, selects two winning teams.