The funding will mark a significant step toward clinical development for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients in India 

VeGen Labs, an emerging biotechnology startup in India, has been awarded Rs 3.765 crores royalty-based financial support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Government of India enterprise setup by the Department of Biotechnology.

The funding will support Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling toxicology studies for IND126, a novel KRAS inhibitor, marking a significant step toward clinical development for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients in India. 

The BIRAC funding will enable comprehensive toxicology assessments, a critical step in preparing for IND submission with regulatory agencies. Upon successful completion, VeGen Labs will be positioned to initiate first-in-human clinical trials, further strengthening India’s role in cutting-edge 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, MD, BIRAC commented, “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.”