Zumutor Biologics Secures $7.3 Mn to Fast-Track Global Development of Cancer Immunotherapy
Advertisement
The investment will support ongoing Phase 1 studies, expansion into Phase 1B cohorts, and the launch of global Phase 2 trials, including in India.
Zumutor Biologics, a Bangalore-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, has secured USD 7.3 Mn (around INR 70 Cr) in a Pre-Series B funding round to accelerate the clinical development of its lead cancer immunotherapy candidate, ZM008.
The funding round was led by existing investors Accel and Bharat Innovation Fund, with participation from Premji Invest, Ashish Kacholia, and Raj Dandu Family Office.
The newly raised capital will be used to complete the ongoing U.S. FDA Phase 1 clinical study of ZM008 as both a standalone treatment and in combination with other therapies.
It will also enable the company to begin Phase 1B dose expansion cohorts and initiate global Phase 2 clinical studies, including sites in India.
Founded by Kavitha Iyer Rodrigues, Zumutor Biologics focuses on developing next-generation cancer therapies and operates in both India and the United States, leveraging the body's innate immune system to develop treatments for solid tumours.
ZM008 is a first-in-class Natural Killer (NK) cell checkpoint inhibitor that targets the LLT1-CD161 pathway. The therapy is designed to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses by binding to the glycoprotein LLT1 and preventing its interaction with the CD161 receptor.
This mechanism aims to enhance the body's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, particularly in difficult-to-treat solid tumours.
"Early clinical data from the ongoing phase 1 study of ZM008 highlight the differentiated potential of novel NK checkpoint therapy for solid tumours. Building on these findings, we are expanding into dose expansion cohorts and combination studies across multiple tumour types," said Maloy Ghosh, Chief Scientific Officer, Zumutor Biologics.
According to the company, encouraging early clinical signals from ongoing studies have reinforced confidence in both ZM008 and its broader immunotherapy platform.
The latest funding will also support combination therapy studies across multiple cancer indications, allowing researchers to evaluate how ZM008 performs alongside existing cancer treatments.
Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News
