Written by : Aishwarya Sarthe
September 30, 2024
This funding will primarily be used to advance Phase II clinical trials for the company's leading drug candidate, which is being developed to treat vitiligo, a skin condition without a current cure.
Ahammune Biosciences, a clinical-stage therapeutics company, has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round led by pi Ventures.
The round also saw participation from Capital2B, Colossa Ventures, Bipin Agarwal, Unicornus Maximus, and existing investors, including Ideaspring Capital, Kotak Alternate Assets, Legacy Assets, and IAN.
This funding will primarily be used to advance Phase II clinical trials for the company's leading drug candidate, which is being developed to treat vitiligo, a skin condition without a current cure.
Additionally, the recent funding will advance the vitiligo drug and support the company’s broader R&D efforts.
The raised capital will support Ahammune in taking its promising drug candidate through the next stage of human clinical trials.
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by the loss of pigment, resulting in white patches on the skin. Affecting 1-2% of the global population, it currently has no definitive cure, with treatments often yielding limited success.
Ahammune’s CEO, Dr Parul Ganju, noted that their drug offers a novel approach to treating the disorder.
“Unlike existing treatments, our small molecule drug candidate does not cause generalized immunosuppression and has a first-in-class mechanism of action. It can not only halt the spread of depigmentation but also stimulate color-producing cells in the skin, thereby inducing repigmentation,” she explained.
The drug has completed Phase I trials, confirming its safety. With Phase II trials underway, Ahammune aims to gather more comprehensive data on the drug's efficacy, which could position it as a leading option for treating vitiligo.
Founded in 2016 by Dr Parul Ganju and Dr Krishnamurthy Natarajan, Ahammune Biosciences has centered its research on immune-mediated skin disorders, with vitiligo being the primary focus.
Dr Ganju and Dr Natarajan have spearheaded the company’s strategy to develop innovative solutions for chronic skin conditions, expanding into other autoimmune and dermatological diseases.
“Our focus is on building collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to co-develop these assets and bring our innovations to a wider market. This approach will enable us to maximise the commercial potential of our therapies, ensuring they reach those who need them most,” Dr Ganju added.
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