Mumbai: Bhubaneswar-based biotech startup Exsure has raised INR3 crore in a seed funding round led by Unicorn India Ventures. The funding will be utilized to advance its non-clinical study on an exosome-based drug delivery vehicle and support global expansion efforts. The company also aims to promote its in-house manufactured R&D products, including Exosure, Leucosure, PlantExosure, and Dr. Berries.
Established in 2021 by Swastika Paul and Abhishek Dutta, Exsure focuses on reducing the side effects and toxicity of anti-cancer drugs through its patented exosomal drug delivery platform. This platform targets both cancer cells and cancer stem cells, aiming to mitigate the toxic effects of chemotherapy and reduce the likelihood of cancer relapse.
Over the past year, Exsure has collaborated with a contract research organization (CRO) in India to initiate non-clinical studies and achieved milestones in preclinical studies using its technology. The company reported a significant growth in the last fiscal year and is currently working with over 50 clients, providing R&D products such as Exosure (a 3-in-1 exosome isolation reagent), Leucosure (a PBMC isolation reagent), and PlantExosure (India’s first plant exosome isolation reagent). Additionally, the company has been selected for the OIST Innovation Accelerator program in Japan, focusing on business expansion and clinical trials.Commenting on the investment, Bhaskar Majumdar, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, says, “The fear of Big C is real not just for the patients but even their families. The funding accelerates Exsure’s mission to deploy solutions at a global level. ”
Exsure plans to complete its non-clinical study within the next year and submit data for CDSCO approval. The startup also intends to expand its team, enhance marketing and sales efforts globally, and strengthen its presence in the biotech industry.
Swastika Paul, CSO & Co-founder, Exsure, says “During our PhD journey, we witnessed the toxicity of the present-day chemotherapy drugs and how 13% of the in-treatment cancer patients die due to toxicity of the chemotherapy drugs. Exsure is on a mission to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy drugs and make them more targeted to cancerous cells. Our vision is to empower millions of cancer patients around the world and improve their quality of life.”
The company has launched its first in-house manufactured products and gained collaborators/partners in Pan India for its products and services. Exsure has also signed contracts with distributors to expand the market for products at the global level.
India’s biotechnology sector, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), is projected to grow to $150 billion by 2025 and further expand to $270-300 billion by 2030. Exsure’s growth trajectory aligns with these broader industry trends, positioning it to capitalize on the increasing opportunities in the sector.
