Contrafect Corp., a 5-year-old biotechnology company in Yonkers, has a new investor from China that plans to make more investments in businesses in the Hudson Valley and metropolitan region.
The Zongyi Group, a diversified company whose business interests include energy, information technology, investment and asset management, has invested $8.6 million that will allow Contrafect to begin clinical trials of its first drug in development, used to treat Staphylococcal bloodstream infections. The Chinese investment is part of a $9.5 million financing, Contrafect founder and CEO Robert Nowinski said at a Monday press conference at i.park Hudson in Yonkers, where the company has its headquarters and laboratories.       Â
“It is the beginning of a relationship that will provide Contrafect unique access to China, the world”™s fastest and most important emerging market,” Nowinski said.
Contrafect employs 35 workers at its 10.000-square-foot space in Yonkers and expects to increase to 50 employees this year. Â Â Â Â
