With participation from existing investors, including 3one4 Capital Bengaluru-based biotech startup Bugworks Research has announced a USD18 Mn Series B1 round, which was led by Lightrock India. The round also saw participation from Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon.

CEO Anand Anandkumar said that the company will look to accelerate clinical trials on AMR (antimicrobial resistance) and bolster its immuno-oncology program, which could be used to treat colon, colorectal, gastric, kidney, stomach, lung, and breast cancers.

The startup will use the funds for the pre-clinical development of its Adenosine immuno-oncology asset and to support the clinical development of BWC0977, its novel broad spectrum antibacterial agent available in both IV and oral forms.

The company had completed the first phase of the clinical research for GYROX series intravenous drug for AMR with its previous round of funding. Anandkumar had said that it’s been decades since a new drug has been developed to target drug-resistant bacteria.

In the virology space, Bugworks has plans to enter soon, where too a lot of development has been seen in the past two years. It is working on other new drugs for diseases and indications that are not currently served by big pharma solutions and also working on a DARE platform for immuno-oncology.

Particularly as research into antivirals and antibacterials ramps up in light of various climate-change related diseases as well as the pandemic, biotech is a hot sector for startups in India.

From Kotak Investment Advisors, Moez Daya (of Satya Capital), and LetsVenture Angel Fund in January, Mumbai-based Epigeneres Biotech raised USD 6 Mn in Series B funding round.