India is among the top 12 destinations for biotechnology worldwide. At the moment India biotechnology industry makes up just 3% of the overall global biotech market ($11.1 billion/₹81,680 crore) but this number is expected to go up to 19% by 2025 ($100 billion/₹7.5lakh crore) that’s almost one-fifth of the world’s biotech sector. The biotechnology industry in India comprises >2700 biotech startups and is estimated to reach 10,000 by 2024 which aims to provide high quality drugs, better diagnosis & MedTec products available at reasonable price.
Let’s take a look at India’s top 10 biotechnology startups that are making India & the world a healthier place.
XCode Life Sciences
Founded by Mohammed Saleem, Abdur Rab Abdur Rahman & Ramabadran narayanan in 2010. It focuses on preventive healthcare by enabling individuals to understand their genetic makeup and helping them to improve their lives by creating personalized health, nutrition and fitness plan based on their genetic markers and disease risk. A couple of years back XCode also launched the world’s first ever South Asian ancestry genetic test which enables south Asian people to trace their ancestry. So far XCode life science has raised $170 million (₹1.25 crore) from round glass partners and shade holdings.
MapMyGenome
Founded by Anu Acharya in 2013. It is a personal genomics startup that offers their customers DNA-based immunity report which offer insights about your risk towards certain immune system diseases as well as life style diseases they might be susceptible to. These reports also tell which drugs will be most effective for them based on their DNA. Make My Genome has raised $1 million (₹7 crore) from investors Singapore angel network & sequoia capitals MD Rajan Anandan.
Oncostem Diagnostics
Founded by Manjiri Bakre in 2011. Oncostem is a cancer treatment startup that offers innovative prognostic & preventive solutions. Its flagship product CanAssist Breast is a prognostic test for early stage breast cancer patients which provide vital insights about breast tumors as well as benefits & risks of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. It is working on developing tests for other type of cancer like oral & ovarian cancer. Oncostem diagnostic has raised $7 million (₹51.5 crore) from Artiman Ventures.
Sea6 Energy
The company was founded by 4 IIT Madras students Sailaja Nori, Nelson Vadasseri, Sayash Kumar, Sowmya Balendiran and their professor Shrikumar Suryanarayan in 2010. Sea6 Energy calls itself an ocean operating system because it has managed to harness the seaweed grown in oceans in a sustainable way to create a range of bioproducts that can boost agriculture, enhance animal & plant immunity and provide an alternative source of energy. It has raised $8.9 million (₹65.5 crore) from investors like Tata Capital & Biocon’s founder and CEO Kiran Mazumdar Shaw.
Pandorum Technologies
Founded by Arun Chandru and Dr. Tuhin Bhowmick in 2011, Pandorum Technologies is a biotech company that focuses on tissue engineering & regenerative medicine. It is the 1st Indian company to design & 3D print human liver tissue for medical research. Till date, the startup has raised $9.2 million (₹67.75 crore) from investors like 500 startups, 021 Capital, Indian Angel Network and Binny Bansal.
Bugworks Research
Founded by Anand Anandkumar in 2014, Bugworks Research is a drug discovery startup that is designing antibiotics that can fight the superbugs which are immune to our traditional drugs. To date, this biopharma startup has raised $16.5 million (₹121.5 crore) from University of Tokyo Edge Capital, Global Brain Corporation and Aquipharma Holdings.
Zumutor Biologics
Founded by Kavitha Iyer Rodrigues in 2013, Zumutor Biologics is one of the leading immune-oncology startups that help in treating cancer by targeting the body’s immune system. To date, it has raised $41.6 million (₹306.4 crore) from Accel, Chiratae Ventures & Bharat Innovation Fund.
Vyome Therapeutics
Founded by Shiladitya Sengupta & Venkateswarlu Nelabhotla in 2010, Vyome Therapeutics is focused on treating inflammatory diseases like acne using its innovative next-generation therapeutic solutions. It has raised $48.3 million (₹355.7 crore) from Iron Pillar, Sabre Partners and Aarin Capital.
Farcast Biosciences
Founded by Pradip K. Majumder & Mallikarjun Sundaram in 2010, Farcast Biosciences was formely known as Mitra Biotech. The startup has developed its flagship platform called CANScript which helps oncologists to identify which drug will be most effective for their patients. They have raised $76 million (₹560 crore) from Northpond Ventures, Tata Capital & Accel.
MedGenome
Founded by Sam Santhosh in 2013 , MedGenome is a biotech startup that offers genome–based diagnostics and research solutions. It uses DNA sequencing to help pharmaceutical companies develop personalised medicines for diseases like Cancer, Diabetes and other rare diseases. To date, MedGenome has raised $119 million (₹876.4 crore) from investors like LeapFrog Investments, Sequoia Capital and Zodius Capital.
These biotechnology startups are working at a speed of light to reach the sky heights by expanding their network. The advent of digitization & artificial intelligence has advanced the way science can deal with health issues. Let’s hope that in future more innovation, discoveries and development will be carried out in the biotech industry in order to advance the healthcare system worldwide.
