NITI Aayog, through its initiative in collaboration with the United Nations, has come forward with the fourth edition of #WTIAwards2019 to recognise the efforts of women entrepreneurs who are challenging conventions and playing a pivotal role in #TransformingIndia. If you are one of those women entrepreneurs disrupting the status quo, get yourself identified by NITI Aayog by clicking here. Last day to register for the #WTIAwards2019 is 17th November 2019.
Cutting-edge medical care is most often a luxury only the rich can afford, with some of the most innovative treatments being prohibitively expensive. Kavitha Iyer Rodrigues’ start-up, Zumotor, which aids research and development of novel biologics and bio-betters, aims to upend the status quo and provide affordable access to effective, game-changing therapies to anyone who needs it.
Scientific and technological innovation at Zumutor attempts to address gaps in cancer, diabetes and auto-immune disorder therapies. Zumutor has also developed a scanning tool to screen various disease targets, exploring a large pool of antibodies represented by healthy, genetically diverse, and so far untapped, populations in India. Zumotor is the second start-up of Kavitha Iyer.
With technical expertise in core biologics development and operations at major biopharma companies such as Biocon, as well as the experience of running a successful venture before, this 41-year-old is using her deep understanding of the field to develop an innovative medical platform that will yield social benefits both in the short and long term. “We wanted to create a cutting-edge scientific platform developed in India that will cater to global needs. In the long run, our platform will improve the access, affordability of innovative drugs for the common people of India,” she says.
Zumotor’s team of 35 people in Bengaluru is complemented by an office in Boston, USA. Managing the travel and funding has been a challenge for Kavitha, but Zumotor has grown from strength to strength, with a lead molecule that will be the first in class product for an indication of prostate cancer ready for pre-clinical trial.
To conclude, if you are one such woman entrepreneur or you know one of such women entrepreneurs playing a significant role in #TransformingIndia through their remarkable enterprises, don’t forget to get their names identified at NITI Aayog’s #WTIAwards2019. Click here!
