METiS TechBio's shares surged 173% on their Hong Kong debut, with the AI-driven drug design start-up raising HK$2.11 billion from its initial public offering
METiS TechBio, an AI-driven drug design start-up, made a strong debut on the Hong Kong stock market, raising HK$2.11 billion. CEO Lai Tsai-Ta compared the company to SpaceX, highlighting its use of AI algorithms for rapid drug development through nano-delivery platforms.
Eight mainland China-based companies, including five biotech firms, passed listing hearings on the Hong Kong stock market in April. Metis, founded in 2020 in Hangzhou, uses three proprietary AI platforms to design drug delivery systems. Its revenue surged to 105 million yuan in 2025 from 1.48 million yuan in 2024, while net loss narrowed to 391.8 million yuan. Its leading drug candidate MTS-004 for pseudobulbar affect has completed phase three trials.
