VeGen Labs announced that it has received ₹3.765 crore in royalty-based financial support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an enterprise of the Government of India under the Department of Biotechnology. The funding will support Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies for IND126, a KRAS inhibitor, as part of its clinical development for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients in India.
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in India, with NSCLC accounting for approximately 85 per cent of all cases. India reports over 70,000 new lung cancer cases annually, with many patients diagnosed at advanced stages. Targeted therapies, including KRAS inhibitors, could offer new treatment options. Increasing awareness, early diagnosis, and access to advanced therapies have created demand for innovative cancer treatments in the Indian NSCLC market.
The BIRAC funding will enable comprehensive toxicology assessments, a necessary step in preparing for IND submission with regulatory agencies. Upon completion, VeGen Labs will be positioned to initiate first-in-human clinical trials, further strengthening India’s presence in drug discovery and precision oncology.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from BIRAC, which will accelerate our path toward clinical development,” said Prashant Bhavar, Founder & Director, VeGen Labs. “This grant empowers us to execute key preclinical studies, ensuring the safety and efficacy of IND126 as we progress toward regulatory approval. More importantly, it highlights India’s transition from a largely generics-driven industry to pharmaceutical innovation.”
Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC, said, “BIRAC is committed to fostering innovation in the Indian biotech ecosystem, and we are happy to support VeGen Labs in developing this groundbreaking KRAS inhibitor. This initiative aligns with our vision to promote cutting-edge research that addresses critical healthcare challenges both in India and globally.”
VeGen Labs is the first Indian biotech company developing a KRAS inhibitor for both domestic and global markets. This initiative highlights India’s growing capabilities in oncology drug discovery and pharmaceutical innovation.
The company acknowledged the support of BIRAC and the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, at a time when private and venture funding for biotech innovation in India remains limited. VeGen Labs stated that this backing is crucial for advancing research and fostering innovation.
VeGen Labs remains focused on oncology advancements, integrating AI-driven drug discovery with emerging modalities such as PROTAC and Molecular Glues to address unmet medical needs in cancer treatment.