Zynext Ventures USA LLC, the venture capital arm of Zydus Lifesciences (Zydus), has announced its investment in Feldan Therapeutics, a Canada-based early clinical-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering the development of treatments based on intracellular delivery of therapeutics.

Feldan's proprietary Shuttle peptide technology enables the efficient and targeted delivery of biomolecules into cells, unlocking new therapeutic possibilities. The company's lead candidate, FLD-103, is administered directly into basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions, where the Shuttle peptide facilitates the delivery of a Hedgehog inhibitor to its target within BCC cells. This innovative approach aims to provide BCC patients with a non-surgical treatment option that improves outcomes and significantly enhances their quality of life. 

Additionally, Feldan is advancing a pulmonary program that leverages the Shuttle's unique ability to transport biomolecules into hard-to-deliver lung cells to address the unmet and growing medical needs of patients with respiratory diseases.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Sharvil Patel, MD of Zydus Lifesciences, said, "At Zydus, we are committed towards advancing the development of novel therapeutics to addressing critical gaps in healthcare through innovation. We are pleased to support Feldan in exploring a potentially safe and targeted option for patients with dermatological and pulmonary disease and help them lead a better quality of life."

Jay Kothari, Director of Zynext Ventures, highlighted, "Feldan's platform has the potential to transform intracellular delivery and pioneer next-generation therapeutics, aligning with the disruptive innovations we aim to add to our portfolio."

"This partnership with Zynext Ventures marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to improve patients' quality of life and address critical drug delivery challenges," said François-Thomas Michaud, CEO of Feldan Therapeutics.