Latest news with #UT009
United News of India
14 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
Hyd: Utopia Therapeutics secures $1.5M investment for developing obesity vaccine
Hyderabad, June 24 (UNI) Utopia Therapeutics, a Hyderabad-based biotech startup focused on developing next-generation vaccines for chronic metabolic conditions including obesity, today announced it has secured seed funding of USD 1.5 million from Whale Tank, a leading early-stage venture firm focused on breakthrough life science innovations. The announcement was made at the BIO International Convention 2025. The proceeds from this round of funding will accelerate the preclinical development of the vaccine, a lead immunotherapeutic candidate targeting obesity, the startup company said in a release here. The novel vaccine is designed to reduce fat accumulation and improve metabolic health by targeting lipid-associated antigens. This investment will also support the advancement of regulatory toxicology studies, IND-enabling milestones, and Phase I human clinical trials of the vaccine. Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund has committed over USD 1.5 million in cumulative investment toward Utopia's therapeutic and consumer health pipeline. The collaboration includes full development funding for UT009, a first-in-class preventive vaccine for obesity and fatty liver disease. UNI KNR SSP
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Utopia secures $1.5 mn from Whale Tank to develop obesity vaccine
Biotech player in vaccines for chronic metabolic diseases, Utopia Therapeutics, has secured seed funding of $1.5 million from Whale Tank, a leading early-stage venture firm. The announcement was made at the BIO International Convention 2025. The Hyderabad-based company said proceeds from this round of funding will accelerate the preclinical development of UT009, its immunotherapeutic candidate targeting obesity. UT009 is a novel vaccine designed to modulate the immune system to reduce fat accumulation and improve metabolic health by targeting lipid-associated antigens. Uday Saxena and Gopi Kadiyala, founders of Utopia Therapeutics, said: 'We are thrilled to have Whale Tank as a strategic partner in our journey to redefine obesity treatment. Obesity is a global epidemic with limited long-term therapeutic options. UT009 represents a paradigm shift by differentiating it from current obesity drugs by addressing the root causes of weight gain. This investment enables us to move swiftly toward clinical translation.' Jitendra Kumar, managing director, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), noted that the partnership highlights the strength of India's translational biotech ecosystem. The development of a vaccine for metabolic disorders, along with a regenerative product pipeline emerging from India and entering global markets, showcases both the country's scientific depth and entrepreneurial maturity. Furthermore, the funding will support the advancement of UT009 towards regulatory toxicology studies, IND-enabling milestones and Phase I human clinical trials. Whale Tank's managing partner, Markandeya Gorantla, added: 'Utopia's approach is bold, scientifically rigorous, and offers enormous potential to disrupt the obesity market. We are excited to support their mission of bringing immunotherapeutics to the forefront of chronic disease management.'
Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Biotech breakthrough: UoH alumni launch strategic partnership
Hyderabad: In a significant achievement for alumni-led biotech investment and translational entrepreneurship, Dr Uday Saxena and Dr Markandeya Gorantla, graduates of the University of Hyderabad, have signed a term sheet to fund Utopia Therapeutics Pvt Ltd, an early-stage deep-tech startup. This important announcement was made at the BIO International Convention 2025, held in Boston on June 19. The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund, which collaborates with the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) as a knowledge partner and is supported by Prof. Reddanna Pallu and Dr. Ratnakar Palakodeti, highlights the impactful contributions of University of Hyderabad alumni Dr. Saxena and Dr. Gorantla to the global biotech landscape. The signing event was attended by Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, along with key leaders from ABLE and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund is set to commit over USD 1.5 million in total support to Utopia Therapeutics. This vital funding will advance the development of Utopia's lead asset, UT009, a first-in-class vaccine designed to combat obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Additionally, the investment will strengthen Utopia's pipeline of UT18-based regenerative health products, enhancing infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and go-to-market strategies. Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD of BIRAC, stated, 'This partnership reflects the strength of India's translational biotech ecosystem. A vaccine for metabolic disorders and a regenerative product pipeline emerging from India and entering global markets demonstrate the scientific depth and entrepreneurial maturity that BIRAC has consistently supported. It's especially gratifying to witness this in my presence. I'm pleased to see that some of the companies now being funded by Whale Tank were previously supported by BIRAC. This is a great enabling system — we've always envisioned such investor-driven support for Indian deep-tech science.' Dr. Uday Saxena, Co-Founder of Utopia Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., said, 'We were deeply impressed by Utopia's science and clarity of purpose. The UT18 platform has demonstrated multi-tissue regenerative potential, and with Whale Tank's support, we are investing not just in products but in a future of preventive and regenerative health.' This collaboration marks a significant milestone for India's evolving biotech investment landscape, as well as for innovative product discovery and development. It exemplifies how scientific innovation, strategic capital, and experienced mentorship from institutions like the University of Hyderabad can converge through a national innovation pipeline with global ambitions. Co-founded by University of Hyderabad alumni Dr. Uday Saxena and Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, with FABA as a knowledge partner, the Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund focuses on identifying and investing in early-stage deep-tech startups in the biotech sector, fostering innovation, mentorship, and translational entrepreneurship. The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund's portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative companies, showcasing India's commitment to bio-strategic sovereignty and investment in critical areas for human and environmental health.
