Pune-based startup Immunoscript Life Science has secured a $8.9 million grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop thermostable RNA vaccines. This technology aims to eliminate the need for ultra-cold storage in vaccine distribution. As Immunoscript is a private company, this news has no direct impact on the public stock market.
Pune-based biotechnology startup Immunoscript Life Science has been awarded a grant of up to $8.9 million by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The funding is designated to support the advancement of the company's proprietary CLNE self-amplifying RNA vaccine platform. This technology is designed to create vaccines that are stable at standard refrigeration temperatures, removing the need for the complex and expensive ultra-cold-chain infrastructure that currently limits global vaccine access.
Immunoscript is a private entity that was incorporated in April 2026. In July 2026, the company expanded its operational base by acquiring the mRNA business unit from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals for ₹139.5 crore. This acquisition provided the new entity with established research capabilities, which it is now scaling to meet international pandemic preparedness standards, specifically the global '100 Days Mission' goal to compress vaccine development timelines.
The core of the project involves the CLNE platform, which uses a nanoemulsion design to protect vaccine stability. By making vaccines that can be stored and transported at standard temperatures of 2°C to 8°C, the company hopes to facilitate easier distribution in remote or resource-limited regions. The company plans to use the CEPI capital to initiate Phase I human trials for a rabies vaccine candidate, which will serve as a proof-of-concept for the broader platform. The researchers aim to utilize artificial intelligence tools to optimize dosage requirements, with trials expected to commence in India within the next six months.
For readers interested in the broader biotechnology sector, it is important to note that Immunoscript is an unlisted, private company. There is no publicly traded stock or share price for the company, and it does not file financial reports with the stock exchanges like NSE or BSE. As an early-stage startup, Immunoscript faces typical sector challenges, including the high-risk nature of clinical research, reliance on non-dilutive grant funding for research and development, and the operational complexity of scaling a technology from a research unit to clinical validation. Investors following the biotech space may watch for updates on the startup's clinical trial progress and its ability to prove the effectiveness of its thermostable platform, as these milestones often influence the long-term viability and growth of private medical research firms.