Pandorum Technologies Secures USD 11 Million Investment to Advance Regenerative Therapy for Corneal Blindness

Pandorum Technologies, a leading biotechnology company specializing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, has announced the successful closure of a pre-Series B funding round, securing USD 11 million (INR 88 crore) in investment. The funding round saw participation from notable investors, including Mr. Ashish Kacholia, Everest Finance Investment, Acebright Pharma, and Ms. Bandana Kankani’s syndicate, along with existing investors Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal and the Indian Angel Network.

Co-founded by Arun Chandru & Dr. Tuhin Bhowmick, Pandorum Technologies focuses on developing innovative therapeutics to address unmet clinical needs, with a particular emphasis on regenerative medicine. The recent funding will propel the company towards conducting the First-in-Human study of its Flagship product Kuragenx, dubbed the ‘Liquid Cornea’, aimed at treating corneal blindness. Additionally, the funding will enable the advancement of Pandorum’s technology platform, demonstrating regenerative potential in various tissues, including liver, lung, and neuronal tissues.

Dr. Tuhin Bhowmick, Co-Founder & CEO of Pandorum Technologies, expressed excitement about the support from investors and highlighted the potential of Kuragenx to revolutionize corneal transplantation. He stated, “Our flagship product Kuragenx combines proprietary biomaterials with regenerative nanotherapy, guiding the formation of functional corneal tissue to restore vision. This First-in-Class approach holds the promise of bridging the gap between treatment and cure.”

Mr. Ashish Kacholia emphasized the importance of Pandorum’s work in addressing corneal blindness, acknowledging the long journey to commercialization but underscoring the potential benefits for humanity.

Ms. Bandana Kankani from Nexxtmile, who invested in and advised on the funding round, commended Pandorum for pushing boundaries in the biotech sector, highlighting the company’s potential to create global innovations.

Pandorum’s Kuragenx, designed to promote scarless regeneration of corneal tissue, has shown promising results in pre-clinical studies. The therapy was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the USFDA in 2023 for the treatment of Neurotrophic Keratitis, a challenging form of corneal blindness. The company is currently engaged in IND enabling studies and clinical manufacturing processes with the aim of initiating patient dosing in 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

Arun Chandru, Co-Founder & Director of Pandorum, expressed gratitude to the investors, partners, and government agencies for their support, highlighting the transformative potential of their work in restoring vision without relying on donor corneas.

Pandorum Technologies operates R&D labs in Bangalore, India, and the Bay Area, San Francisco, USA, collaborating with prominent global partners. The company has received competitive grants from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and has garnered support from marquee investors and VCs, including Mr. Binny Bansal, Mr. T K Kurien, Mr. Sachin Bansal, and Indian Angel Network (IAN) Fund, among others.

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