Biotechnology startup Zumutor Biologics has secured $7.3 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by existing investors Accel and Bharat Innovation Fund, with participation from new investors Premji Invest, Ashish Kacholia, and the Raj Dandu Family Office.
The fresh capital will support the continued clinical development of the company’s lead immuno-oncology candidate, ZM008, including the completion of its ongoing U.S. FDA Phase 1 clinical trial, expansion into Phase 1B cohorts, and the initiation of global Phase 2 studies, including in India.
Advancing Next-Generation Cancer Immunotherapy
Founded by Kavitha Iyer Rodrigues, Zumutor Biologics is focused on developing innovative cancer therapies that harness the body’s innate immune system to combat tumors.
The company’s flagship drug candidate, ZM008, is a first-in-class Natural Killer (NK) cell checkpoint therapy designed to enhance the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells. Unlike conventional treatments, NK-cell-based therapies seek to activate one of the body’s first lines of defense against cancer, offering a potentially powerful new approach to treating difficult-to-manage tumors.
According to the company, early clinical data from ongoing Phase 1 studies have shown encouraging signals in selected hard-to-treat cancer indications, strengthening confidence in both ZM008 and Zumutor’s broader immunotherapy platform.
Funding to Accelerate Global Clinical Development
The newly raised capital will be deployed toward multiple clinical and research milestones. In addition to completing the ongoing U.S. FDA Phase 1 trial, Zumutor plans to expand Phase 1B studies and launch international Phase 2 trials to evaluate the therapy across a wider patient population.
The company also intends to initiate combination studies involving ZM008 across multiple cancer indications, exploring how the therapy may work alongside existing cancer treatments to improve outcomes.
By advancing its clinical development pipeline, Zumutor aims to position itself among the emerging global leaders in next-generation cancer immunotherapy.
Strengthening India’s Presence in Global Biotech Innovation
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Zumutor operates across India and the United States and is part of a growing wave of Indian biotechnology companies developing globally competitive therapies.
India’s biotech sector has increasingly gained international attention for its innovation in drug discovery, precision medicine, and oncology research. Companies like Zumutor are helping demonstrate that cutting-edge therapeutic development can emerge from India while addressing global healthcare challenges.
The latest funding round reflects growing investor confidence in India’s biotech ecosystem and the potential of homegrown innovation to contribute to the future of cancer treatment worldwide.
About Zumutor Biologics
Zumutor Biologics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing novel therapies that activate the body’s innate immune system to fight cancer. The company’s lead candidate, ZM008, is a first-in-class NK-cell checkpoint therapy currently undergoing clinical evaluation. With operations in India and the United States, Zumutor is committed to advancing innovative cancer treatments for patients worldwide.
By : Arushi Agarwal
