Daybreak How a Bangalore biotech quietly built a blindness breakthrough in under $10 million
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May 9, 2025 A small biotech startup in Bengaluru is quietly making waves with a revolutionary treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration. With just $10 million, they’re outperforming industry giants while focusing on affordability for Indian patients. Their innovative cell therapy aims to provide world-class results at a fraction of the typical cost, redefining healthcare access. This remarkable journey highlights the intersection of ambition, science, and the drive to catalyze change in the global biotechnology landscape.
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Blind Patient Walks Again
- A blind patient treated by iSTEM's cell therapy was able to walk again, surprising doctors worldwide.
- This represents a groundbreaking achievement against dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), previously incurable.
iSTEM Outperforms Big Pharma
- iSTEM's cell therapy shows better vision improvement results than billion-dollar Western competitors.
- Their average gain of 15 letters in vision surpasses some major international trials.
Personal Heartbreak Sparks Innovation
- iSTEM's journey began from Jogin Desai's personal heartbreak over a family member's vision loss.
- This personal connection drove their mission to develop affordable cell therapy for dry AMD patients.