Industry : Healthcare & Life-Sciences
Curadev Therapeutics UP, a recently incorporated translational startup, has the rights to develop Curadev Pharma’s novel anti-cancer First-in-Class drug candidate CRD3874-SI, which is a classical small molecule allosteric STING activator, that was conceptualized, discovered, synthesized and developed on Indian soil in Noida, Uttar Pradesh with the aim of launching the first indigenously developed anti-cancer drug from India for regulated markets worldwide. Market Need: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with over 10 million deaths annually. In India alone, 808,558 people died from cancer in 2022, with Uttar Pradesh recording the highest number of new cases and deaths nationwide. Current treatments—such as chemotherapy, radiation, and even some targeted therapies—often lack precision, cause severe side effects, or fail to address the complexity and heterogeneity of tumors. The core challenge: today’s immunotherapies work for too few patients, in too few cancer types — and the tools to predict, personalize, and improve these treatments remain inadequate. There is an urgent need for smarter, more targeted immuno-oncology solutions that harness the immune system more effectively, with better outcomes and fewer side effects. Our Solution – CRD3874-SI: There is preclinical evidence that therapies that activate the STING protein lead to the generation of powerful anti-cancer immune responses. CRD3874-SI is a novel small molecule immunotherapeutic that is differentiated from competitor drugs by its systemic mode of delivery that enables the drug to reach all metastatic tumor sites at therapeutically safe doses in patients with advanced cancers. Strategic Significance: India’s pharmaceutical industry has long excelled in generics, biosimilars, and contract services, but innovation in novel drug discovery remains nascent. A successful global launch of CRD3874-SI would: • Mark a historic first: India’s first homegrown cancer drug targeting global regulated markets. • Position India at the global innovation table in oncology drug development. • Demonstrate the translational power of Indian science in bringing cutting-edge therapies from bench to bedside. Competitive Edge: Our novel drug stands out due to its demonstrated efficacy in both liquid and solid tumors, offering a unique breadth of application. Multiple players are advancing STING activator to overcome resistance in solid tumors, but limitations remain in delivery, tumor selectivity, and immune-related toxicity. Importantly, none of the current STING activator programs in the market have demonstrated activity in liquid cancers, positioning our drug as a first-in-class candidate in this space. Competing on Delivery, Durability, and Safety: As of this time we have significant lead based on the unique chemistry and pharmacology of our drugs which are allosteric STING agonists. While our drug is already undergoing Phase 1 clinical trials, there is no other company we are aware of with a similar type of drug with superior drug delivery and safety properties. With a significant first-mover advantage, a differentiated mechanism of action, and compelling early clinical data, Curadev Therapeutics UP is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of precision immuno-oncology from India.
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Year of Establishment2025