Utopia Therapeutics Secures $1.5 Mn to Advance Obesity Vaccine

The partnership also supports the global scale-up and commercialisation of UT018, a regenerative product line built on GRAS-qualified, non-pharmaceutical applications.

Utopia Therapeutics, a Hyderabad-based biotech startup, has secured $1.5 million in funding from Whale Tank, an early-stage venture firm, to accelerate the development of its lead immunotherapeutic candidate, UT009, targeting obesity.

The funding was announced at the BIO International Convention 2025 and will support UT009's preclinical progress, including regulatory toxicology studies, IND-enabling milestones, and Phase I human clinical trials. UT009 is designed as a vaccine that modulates the immune system to reduce fat accumulation and improve metabolic health by targeting lipid-associated antigens.

The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund has committed over $1.5 million in total investment toward Utopia’s therapeutic and consumer health pipeline. This includes full development funding for UT009, a first-in-class preventive vaccine for obesity and fatty liver disease.

The partnership also supports the global scale-up and commercialisation of UT018, a regenerative product line built on GRAS-qualified, non-pharmaceutical applications.

The announcement took place in the presence of several leaders from India’s biotech ecosystem, including Dr Jitendra Kumar (Managing Director, BIRAC), Narayanan Suresh (COO, ABLE), Dr Balasubramanya S (GM, ABLE), and senior representatives of the Indian biotech community.

Dr Jitendra Kumar said, “This partnership reflects the strength of India’s translational biotech ecosystem. A vaccine for metabolic disorders and a regenerative product pipeline coming out of India and entering global markets demonstrates the scientific depth and entrepreneurial maturity that BIRAC has consistently fostered."

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