Zynext Ventures Invests in Feldan Therapeutics for Intracellular Drug Delivery Innovation

PENNINGTON, N.J. and QUÉBEC, April 16, 2025 – Zynext Ventures USA LLC, the venture capital division of Zydus Lifesciences, has announced its investment in Feldan Therapeutics. Feldan, based in Canada, is at an early clinical stage and is known for its pioneering work in the development of treatments that involve intracellular delivery of therapeutics.

A standout feature of Feldan's research is its proprietary Shuttle peptide technology. This technology allows for the efficient and precise delivery of biomolecules into cells, opening up new avenues for therapeutic development. The leading candidate in Feldan’s pipeline, FLD-103, is designed to be directly administered into basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions. Here, the Shuttle peptide assists in delivering a Hedgehog inhibitor directly to its target within BCC cells. This novel treatment approach offers BCC patients a non-surgical alternative, potentially improving treatment outcomes and enhancing their quality of life.

Moreover, Feldan is advancing its research in a pulmonary program. This initiative utilizes the Shuttle's distinctive ability to transfer biomolecules into lung cells, which are typically difficult to penetrate. The goal is to address the unmet medical requirements of patients with respiratory conditions, a growing concern in healthcare.

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, commented on this development, emphasizing Zydus's dedication to advancing novel therapeutics to bridge significant gaps in healthcare through innovation. By supporting Feldan, Zydus aims to explore safe and targeted treatment options for patients with both skin and lung diseases, ultimately aiming to improve their quality of life.

Jay Kothari, Director of Zynext Ventures, remarked on the transformative potential of Feldan's platform in intracellular delivery and its capability to pioneer next-generation therapeutics. This aligns with the disruptive innovations that Zynext Ventures seeks to incorporate into its investment portfolio.

Feldan's CEO, François-Thomas Michaud, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Zynext Ventures, citing it as a pivotal step in Feldan's mission to enhance patient quality of life and tackle crucial drug delivery challenges. With the strategic expertise and shared commitment to innovation provided by Zynext Ventures, Feldan is poised to accelerate the development of its next-generation therapies.

Zynext Ventures, the investment wing of Zydus Lifesciences, concentrates on finding and supporting promising early-stage and growth-stage companies within the healthcare sector. The firm offers financial backing, strategic advice, and industry experience to its portfolio companies, aiding them in reaching their full potential and making a significant impact on patients' lives.

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. is a global lifesciences company dedicated to empowering people to live healthier and more fulfilled lives. The company is involved in discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a wide range of healthcare therapies. Employing 27,000 individuals globally, including 1,400 scientists focused on research and development, Zydus is driven by its mission to unlock new possibilities in the lifesciences sector through quality healthcare solutions that affect lives. Over the past decade, Zydus has introduced several groundbreaking products to address unmet healthcare needs.

Feldan Therapeutics, in its clinical-stage, is committed to developing treatments based on the intracellular delivery of therapeutics. Its flagship peptide-based technology, the Feldan Shuttle, enables the safe and effective delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into cells, paving the way for a new generation of therapies. Feldan's leading product for treating BCC, FLD-103, is currently undergoing a Phase 1/2a clinical trial, with further pipeline expansion focused on skin and lung diseases.