Bengaluru-based deeptech startup eNLife Research has raised ₹6 crore in a seed funding round led by Piper Serica VC Fund to accelerate the development of its AI-powered blood biomarker platform for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The fresh capital will be used to expand the company’s research and development team, validate its blood-based diagnostic platform, and advance its first clinical-grade diagnostic assay, with the broader goal of making early Alzheimer’s detection affordable and accessible across India.
Funding to Accelerate AI-Driven Diagnostics
eNLife Research plans to utilise the newly raised funds to strengthen its Bengaluru-based R&D operations, advance clinical validation of its proprietary blood biomarker platform, and move its first diagnostic assay from prototype to clinical-grade testing.
The company also expects to begin filing patents over the next 9 to 18 months covering biomarker binders, diagnostic assays, and its proprietary detection platform.
Developing a Blood Test for Early Alzheimer’s Detection
Incubated at the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), eNLife Research is building an AI-powered diagnostic platform capable of detecting Alzheimer’s disease up to 15 years before the onset of clinical symptoms.
Founded by Dr. Deepak Kumaran Nair, Lt. Col. Jojo Jacob, and Anish Mathew, the company is developing a simple blood test that screens for a panel of five to seven biomarkers, including amyloid beta and abnormal tau proteins, both of which are closely associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Beyond Alzheimer’s, eNLife is also working on next-generation diagnostic assays capable of simultaneously tracking 25 to 100 biomarkers to identify multiple forms of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Unlike conventional diagnostic methods such as PET scans, MRI scans, or cerebrospinal fluid analysis, the company’s solution is designed to be minimally invasive, cost-effective, and deliver results within two to five hours through routine diagnostic centres.
AI Engine Built Around Indian Population Data
A key differentiator for eNLife Research is its focus on developing diagnostic models specifically tailored to the Indian population.
The company is collaborating with researchers associated with leading institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad, and the Centre for Brain Research (CBR), Bengaluru, to build India-specific biomarker datasets.
According to the company, existing diagnostic models have largely been developed using Western populations, while genetic factors and lifestyle-related risks differ significantly among Indian patients.
Its AI platform is being trained to identify complex relationships between multiple biomarkers, enabling the detection of disease progression well before cognitive symptoms become visible.
Leadership on the Company’s Mission
Commenting on the funding, Dr. Deepak Kumaran Nair, Co-founder and CEO of eNLife Research, said:
“The biggest failure of Alzheimer’s care today isn’t the absence of treatments in trials; it’s that we find patients a decade too late to use them. We started eNLife to detect the disease at the molecular stage through a simple blood draw that is both affordable and accessible for the Indian population. This funding allows us to move that ambition from the lab to a validated product.”
Piper Serica Backs Deep Science Innovation
Rajni Agarwal, Director at Piper Serica, highlighted the growing need for affordable neurodegenerative disease diagnostics in India.
She noted that India is expected to witness one of the world’s fastest-growing ageing populations, making early diagnosis increasingly critical. According to her, eNLife’s AI-powered blood-based diagnostic platform has the potential to democratise Alzheimer’s detection by making advanced diagnostics accessible beyond metropolitan cities and into Tier II and Tier III regions.
A Broader Vision for Neurodegenerative Healthcare
Beyond diagnostics, eNLife Research aims to improve long-term patient outcomes by enabling individuals and families to identify neurodegenerative diseases years before symptoms emerge, allowing more time for treatment planning, therapy, and informed healthcare decisions.
The investment also reflects Piper Serica’s growing focus on deep-tech innovation through its recently launched ₹800 crore Bharat Tech Fund, which backs startups building proprietary technologies across artificial intelligence, biosciences, semiconductors, defence technology, spacetech, and cybersecurity.
With the latest funding, eNLife Research is positioning itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and precision diagnostics, working to transform early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and make advanced neurological healthcare more accessible across India.
By : Vanshika Tayal
