Abu Dhabi - Sharikat Mubasher: BioSapien, the patented drug delivery platform treating cancer locally, raised $5.5 million in a pre-series A funding round led by Global Ventures, with participation from Dara Holdings.

BioSapien will allocate the funds to boost the clinical trials of its flagship product MediChip in the UAE, increase product development and manufacturing, and onboard new talent, the company announced in a recent press release.

MediChip is a drug delivery, 3D-printed, slow-release delivery platform attachable to any tissue with minimal systemic side effects.

BioSapien is developing its platform for clinical trials in colorectal cancer patients, with the scope to branch out to other cancers (pancreatic, lung), and non-cancer indications such as opioids, hormones, biologics, and cell and gene therapies.

CEO and Founder of BioSapien Khatija Ali said: “We are delighted to announce our pre-Series A fundraise to accelerate our clinical trials and product development. There is a high unmet need for sustained drug release with minimal side effects in healthcare with over 30% of chemotherapy patients enduring severe side effects, often resulting in reduced or halted treatment.”

She clarified that BioSapien’s vision is to provide on-the-go therapy and treat cancer locally, leveraging its innovative technology to reduce roadblocks and increase quality of life during treatment.

Meanwhile, Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures, commented: “BioSapien’s drug delivery technology utilizes advanced 3D printing and epitomizes cost-effective innovation in a market ripe for new solutions with benefits for multiple stakeholders.”

With offices in Abu Dhabi and California, BioSapien aims to treat 1 million patients by 2035, prioritizing patient well-being and reducing healthcare costs.