Ahammune Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing treatments for skin diseases, has raised $5 million in a Series A funding round. This round was led by pi Ventures and included other key investors such as Capital2B, Colossa Ventures, Bipin Agarwal, Unicornus Maximus LLP, and existing investors like Ideaspring Capital, Kotak Alternate Assets, and Legacy Assets LLP.
Funding to Advance Vitiligo Treatment
The newly raised funds will primarily be used to support Phase II human clinical trials for Ahammune’s promising drug candidate for vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation. The funding will also help expand Ahammune’s patent portfolio and further develop research efforts to treat other immune-mediated skin diseases.
Focus on Innovative Skin Treatments
Ahammune was founded in 2016 by Parul Ganju and Krishnamurthy Natarajan, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in skin biology and disease research. The company has been working towards finding new solutions for chronic skin conditions that currently lack effective treatments. Ahammune’s focus on innovative drug development has gained attention for its ability to address unmet medical needs in dermatology.
Roopan Aulakh, Managing Director of pi Ventures, expressed excitement over the investment, stating, “India’s biotech industry is evolving, and startups like Ahammune are leading with innovative solutions. We are confident in Dr. Parul and Dr. Krishnamurthy’s ability to develop breakthrough treatments that could provide a safer alternative for those affected by vitiligo.”
Advancing New Drug for Vitiligo
Ahammune’s lead drug candidate is a small molecule therapeutic that does not cause generalized immunosuppression like other treatments. It works by not only stopping the spread of vitiligo patches but also by stimulating color-producing cells in the skin to induce repigmentation. This new approach has been proven safe in Phase I clinical trials involving healthy human volunteers. Now, with the latest funding, the company is moving forward with Phase II clinical trials to test its effectiveness in vitiligo patients.
Building a Strong Pipeline
Ahammune is also working on a pipeline of patented molecules targeting other autoimmune and dermatological conditions. With its proprietary technology and innovative therapeutic platform, the company is looking to partner with pharmaceutical companies to co-develop and maximize the commercial potential of its treatments.
