Blab Tech
Immunoscript Secures $8.9 Million from CEPI to Advance Thermostable RNA Vaccine Platform
When a biotech startup founded only weeks ago earns a multi‑million‑dollar grant, the world takes notice. In Pune, India, Immunoscript Life Science has just secured up to US$8.9 million (about ₹85 crore) from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to propel its proprietary thermostable self‑amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine platform into early‑phase human trials.
The infusion is earmarked for Phase I studies that will test the safety of the CLNE™ saRNA technology and its immune response against a prototype pathogen. Immunoscript plans to use rabies virus as the initial test case, a disease for which a next‑generation vaccine is still urgently needed.
Founded in late 2025 by Dr. Sanjay Singh—former chief executive of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, the maker of India’s first mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine—Immunoscript inherited a ready‑made portfolio of expertise when Gennova transferred its mRNA business less than two months after the startup’s launch.
The CLNE™ platform is a nanoemulsion‑based saRNA system that can be stored at ambient temperatures. This feature could eliminate the ultra‑cold chain requirements that have limited the reach of conventional mRNA vaccines in remote or low‑resource settings.
CEPI, a Norway‑based foundation that finances vaccine development, said the investment will help advance the platform as part of its 100 Days Mission. The mission, backed by India and other G20 and G7 nations, aims to develop a safe, effective vaccine within 100 days of identifying a new pandemic threat—a concept that has been dubbed “Disease X.”
Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s chief executive, noted, “India already serves as one of the world’s major vaccine hubs. Today’s further backing of Immunoscript’s next‑generation CLNE™ saRNA vaccine platform pushes their pioneering science sector forward, better preparing both India and the world against deadly emerging threats including a future ‘Disease X’.”
CEPI also highlighted that messenger RNA vaccines were pivotal during the COVID‑19 pandemic but that their need for ultra‑cold storage has been a barrier to widespread distribution. The organization emphasized that a thermostable platform could improve access in settings that lack the equipment to keep vaccines from spoiling.
Immunoscript’s chief executive said the company is “day 69 since the start of the company, and the company received its first funding.” He added that the Phase I trial would begin once regulatory approvals are obtained in India, with a tentative six‑month timeline to start. The company will use artificial‑intelligence tools to determine the optimal dose for the vaccine candidate.
The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of a vaccine that can be stored and transported without refrigeration—a capability that could be critical during an outbreak when cold‑chain infrastructure is limited. It also aligns with CEPI’s broader strategy to strengthen global preparedness for emerging diseases.
At present, the funding has been approved and will be disbursed as the company meets predefined milestones. Immunoscript has not yet secured regulatory approval for the Phase I trial, and the exact start date remains contingent on clearance from Indian authorities.
The collaboration marks a significant step for India’s RNA vaccine sector, which has grown rapidly since the COVID‑19 pandemic. It also demonstrates CEPI’s continued commitment to supporting innovative vaccine technologies that can be deployed quickly and efficiently in diverse settings.
As the trial preparation moves forward, stakeholders will watch for regulatory decisions, the completion of preclinical studies, and the eventual initiation of human testing. The outcome of this effort could influence the design of future vaccines for both human and veterinary diseases, including rabies, and contribute to a more resilient global response to potential pandemics.
The infusion is earmarked for Phase I studies that will test the safety of the CLNE™ saRNA technology and its immune response against a prototype pathogen. Immunoscript plans to use rabies virus as the initial test case, a disease for which a next‑generation vaccine is still urgently needed.
Founded in late 2025 by Dr. Sanjay Singh—former chief executive of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, the maker of India’s first mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine—Immunoscript inherited a ready‑made portfolio of expertise when Gennova transferred its mRNA business less than two months after the startup’s launch.
The CLNE™ platform is a nanoemulsion‑based saRNA system that can be stored at ambient temperatures. This feature could eliminate the ultra‑cold chain requirements that have limited the reach of conventional mRNA vaccines in remote or low‑resource settings.
CEPI, a Norway‑based foundation that finances vaccine development, said the investment will help advance the platform as part of its 100 Days Mission. The mission, backed by India and other G20 and G7 nations, aims to develop a safe, effective vaccine within 100 days of identifying a new pandemic threat—a concept that has been dubbed “Disease X.”
Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s chief executive, noted, “India already serves as one of the world’s major vaccine hubs. Today’s further backing of Immunoscript’s next‑generation CLNE™ saRNA vaccine platform pushes their pioneering science sector forward, better preparing both India and the world against deadly emerging threats including a future ‘Disease X’.”
CEPI also highlighted that messenger RNA vaccines were pivotal during the COVID‑19 pandemic but that their need for ultra‑cold storage has been a barrier to widespread distribution. The organization emphasized that a thermostable platform could improve access in settings that lack the equipment to keep vaccines from spoiling.
Immunoscript’s chief executive said the company is “day 69 since the start of the company, and the company received its first funding.” He added that the Phase I trial would begin once regulatory approvals are obtained in India, with a tentative six‑month timeline to start. The company will use artificial‑intelligence tools to determine the optimal dose for the vaccine candidate.
The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of a vaccine that can be stored and transported without refrigeration—a capability that could be critical during an outbreak when cold‑chain infrastructure is limited. It also aligns with CEPI’s broader strategy to strengthen global preparedness for emerging diseases.
At present, the funding has been approved and will be disbursed as the company meets predefined milestones. Immunoscript has not yet secured regulatory approval for the Phase I trial, and the exact start date remains contingent on clearance from Indian authorities.
The collaboration marks a significant step for India’s RNA vaccine sector, which has grown rapidly since the COVID‑19 pandemic. It also demonstrates CEPI’s continued commitment to supporting innovative vaccine technologies that can be deployed quickly and efficiently in diverse settings.
As the trial preparation moves forward, stakeholders will watch for regulatory decisions, the completion of preclinical studies, and the eventual initiation of human testing. The outcome of this effort could influence the design of future vaccines for both human and veterinary diseases, including rabies, and contribute to a more resilient global response to potential pandemics.
