Foundation for Neglected Disease Research

What Foundation for Neglected Disease Research does

Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) is a not-for-profit biotech R&D organization incorporated in 2014 under Section 8 of the Indian Companies Act, headquartered in a 10,000 sq ft BSL-2/BSL-3-certified facility in north Bangalore. Its mission is the discovery and development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and devices for infectious diseases with high socio-economic burden — primarily tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria, drug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections, rabies, and pandemic-prone viruses — in markets that commercial pharma under-serves.

The organization's core technology is an end-to-end small-molecule drug discovery platform covering target identification, high-throughput screening, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, preclinical PK/PD and DMPK (LC-MS/MS), and bioanalytical work, supported by in vitro and in vivo BSL-3 capabilities across bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens. The pipeline includes one Phase 2 asset (TBA-7371, a DprE1 inhibitor co-held with TB Alliance that produced positive Phase 2A EBA results), preclinical leads FNDR-20364/NF1001 (joint with NCPOR) and a repurposed rabies drug in planned clinical trials, early-stage BacPROTAC protein degraders, a repositioned chloroquine adjunct for TB, plus diagnostics (TB biomarker, bacterial/viral differentiation, lymphatic filariasis LAMP) and a wastewater antibiotic-depletion device. FNDR also generates revenue through fee-for-service contract research for pharma, biotech and academic clients.

The revenue model rests on three streams: competitive grant funding from bodies such as BIRAC, DBT, the Gates Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, MMV, and Blockchain For Impact; fee-for-service contract research on BSL-2/BSL-3 infectious disease assays; and milestone/licensing revenue on co-developed drug candidates such as TBA-7371. Go-to-market is sales-led through direct outreach, scientific conferences, and grant applications, targeting pharmaceutical and biotech firms, academic and government research institutions, and global public-health funders. The organization's specialization in infectious disease, BSL-3 infrastructure, regulatory certifications (SIRO, FCRA, RCGM, CPCSEA), and an in-house scientific team of 25+ position it as a translational bridge between Indian academic discovery and global product development.

Name

Foundation for Neglected Disease Research

Legal name

Foundation for Neglected Disease Research

Website

https://fndr.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FNDR is a Bangalore-based not-for-profit biotech R&D organization (founded 2014) that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs, diagnostics, and devices for neglected infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, NTM, bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, funded by grants, fee-for-service contract research, and licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Preclinical Contract Research and Infectious Disease Drug Discovery

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Clinical Trial Supply, Logistics & Vendor Management FSP (HLAGAOAH)

Keywords

• Preclinical contract research
• Infectious disease drug discovery
• BSL-3 assay services
• Antimicrobial resistance research
• Biomarker diagnostics development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Contract Research / Fee-for-Service: FNDR performs preclinical in vitro and animal studies for BSL-2 and BSL-3 bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens under a fee-for-service mode to test therapeutics, vaccines, and other items. A wide range of customisable assays are available as individual studies or comprehensive discovery programs.
2. Competitive Grant Funding: As a not-for-profit organization, FNDR is funded mainly through grants and donations from organizations including AstraZeneca, Department of Biotechnology (India), BIRAC, Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV), Blockchain for Impact, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and others. BFI committed $300,000 over three years.
3. Collaborative R&D Partnerships and Licensing: FNDR undertakes R&D projects in infectious diseases either solely or in collaboration with partners. The organization also pursues in/out licensing of drug candidates, with patents co-held with TB Alliance (TBA-7371) and NCPOR (NF1001/FNDR-20364). Revenue is generated through milestone payments and licensing deals with major pharma.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FNDR is a not-for-profit biotech R&D organization that discovers and develops therapeutics, diagnostics, and devices for neglected infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria, drug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections, rabies, and other viral infections. Its commercial offering is fee-for-service preclinical contract research conducted in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, complemented by an in-house drug pipeline licensed to partners and grant-funded R&D programs.

Product overview

FNDR is a not-for-profit biotech R&D organization with a diversified portfolio spanning therapeutics (drug candidates from early discovery to Phase 2 clinical trials), diagnostics (biomarker-based tests for TB, bacterial/viral differentiation, lymphatic filariasis), and medical devices (wastewater antibiotic depletion). The therapeutic pipeline includes TBA-7371 (Phase 2 for TB), FNDR-20364/NF1001 (preclinical for NTM), bacPROTACs (Hit to Lead), chloroquine (Phase 2 for TB shortening), and novel series for TB, NTMs, and bacterial infections. FNDR also offers fee-for-service preclinical contract research for infectious disease testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TBA-7371 DprE1 inhibitor being developed for tuberculosis treatment, currently in Phase 2 clinical trial; patent jointly held by TB Alliance and FNDR.
• FNDR-20364 (NF1001) Novel anti-TB compound extracted from Antarctic soil with activity against drug-resistant TB and NTMs and against drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria; currently in preclinical stage, co-held with NCPOR.
• Chloroquine (TB Repositioning Program) Repositioned clinical candidate evaluated in partnership with IISc Bangalore for shortening TB therapy; preclinical proof of concept and Phase 2 trial funded by DBT India.
• Homo-BacPROTACs Homo-BacPROTACs targeting and degrading ClpC1 protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, showing potent antibacterial effects including against multidrug-resistant strains; currently at Hit to Lead stage.
• Rabies Repurposed Drug Repurposed clinically approved molecule (homoharringtonine) being developed for symptomatic rabies treatment; preclinical in vitro antiviral activity and improved survival in murine rabies model demonstrated.
• Novel Series for Tuberculosis and NTMs Series of compounds with novel chemical scaffolds showing promising anti-TB efficacy and activity against multiple NTM strains, currently in early preclinical stage.
• Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic (Gram-negative 'Four Killers') First-in-class broad-spectrum antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae), developed in partnership with ABAC Therapeutics (Spain) and Peptris Technologies under an Indo-Spain Consortium grant.
• Wastewater Antibiotic Depletion Device Novel device made from waste materials to remove antibiotics from wastewater effluents, addressing environmental spread of antimicrobial resistance; lab-scale device ready and prototype pilot studies completed.
• Bacterial vs Viral Infection Biomarker Diagnostic Blood-based diagnostic for rapid differentiation between bacterial and viral infections to guide antibiotic prescription; pre-clinical validation completed.
• Lymphatic Filariasis Diagnostic Novel Total Nucleic Acid Based Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) detection for lymphatic filariasis; proof of concept studies funded by Grand Challenges India.
• Tuberculosis Biomarker Diagnostic Blood-based diagnostic for rapid detection of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis; clinical trial of 200 patients completed at St. John's Hospital, Bangalore.
• Preclinical Contract Research Services Fee-for-service preclinical in vitro and animal studies for BSL-2 and BSL-3 bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, including therapeutics testing, vaccines testing, virucidal assays, and customizable discovery programs for clients across pharma, biotech, and academia.

Quantifiable outcome

• TBA-7371 (DprE1 inhibitor) successfully completed Phase 2A Early Bactericidal Activity clinical trial with significant dose-dependent bactericidal activity and good tolerability in drug-susceptible pulmonary TB patients.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• University of AberdeenmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2026Co-organizer of Fungal Diseases & AMR Conference 2026 (July 23, 2026, Bengaluru). Prof. Carol Munro from University of Aberdeen is a key conference speaker and session chair. Conference features three focused sessions on clinical landscape, emerging therapies/diagnostics, and translational framework.
• Brigid BiomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 July 2026Co-organizer of Fungal Diseases & AMR Conference 2026. Dr. Soumya Palliyil, CEO of Brigid Bio, serves as session co-chair on novel approaches including monoclonal antibodies, host-directed therapy, and immunotherapy in fungal disease.
• TB AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2024Co-development partner for TBA-7371, a novel DprE1 inhibitor for TB treatment. TB Alliance conducted Phase 1 and partnered with Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute for Phase 2. Patent jointly held. TBA-7371 showed significant dose-dependent bactericidal activity with no pre-existing resistance or cross-resistance with other TB drugs.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2024Partner that successfully carried out Phase 2A Early Bactericidal Activity clinical trial of TBA-7371 for the treatment of tuberculosis in South Africa (Trial No. NCT04176250).
• Blockchain For Impact (BFI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2024Impact-driven partnership under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme to advance healthcare in India. BFI aims to allocate $300,000 to FNDR over three years to support projects translating research into tangible healthcare solutions for TB, NTDs, bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral infections, and AMR.
• ABAC Therapeutics (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2023International project with ABAC Therapeutics Spain and AI company Peptris to develop a first-in-class broad-spectrum antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria ('the four killers': Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae). Funded through Indo-Spain Consortium grant by TDB India and CDTI Spain. Scientific support from Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
• PeptriscoreTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2023AI company providing artificial intelligence capabilities for optimization of new chemical structures against Gram-negative bacteria in partnership with FNDR and ABAC Therapeutics.
• Syngene International Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 December 2020Non-exclusive partnership enabling SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in vivo research for Syngene customers. Combines Syngene's multidisciplinary integrated drug discovery skills with FNDR's BSL-3 infectious disease research capabilities to provide affordable, state-of-the-art support for academia and industry involved in COVID-19 research.
• Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and TechnologyminorOthers · 29 September 2020FNDR recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by DSIR, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• AMR Insights ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2020FNDR joined the AMR Insights Consortium as an International Associated Partner. AMR Insights is a Netherlands-based network that informs, educates, and connects professionals globally to curb Antimicrobial resistance.
• COVID Action CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2020FNDR joined the COVID Action Collaborative, an initiative by the Catalyst Group of Institutions, to support civil society, private sector, academics, networks, foundations, and governments to prevent infections, diagnose early, treat appropriately, and mitigate COVID-19 impacts.
• ICGEB DelhiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2020BIRAC AIR scheme grant for evaluating Saracatinib as an adjunct therapy candidate for tuberculosis, in collaboration with ICGEB Delhi.
• WIPO Re:Search ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2020FNDR joined WIPO Re:Search, a global consortium founded by BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH), WIPO, and leading pharmaceutical companies. Consortium accelerates development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for NTDs, malaria, and TB through IP sharing.
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), GoacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2019Co-development of FNDR-20364/NF1001, a novel anti-TB compound extracted from Antarctic soil. Joint patent holders. Also collaborated on anti-tubercular agent development (BIRAC-CRS grant) and marine-derived peptide-antibiotic against serious Gram-positive infections.
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), BangaloremajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 January 2018Partnership with IISc for chloroquine repositioning to shorten TB therapy. Preclinical proof of concept studies and Phase 2 clinical trial funded by DBT India. Published in Science Translational Medicine.
• Anthem Biosciences Limited, BengaluruminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2017BIRAC-CRS grant collaboration for development of an anti-tubercular agent in partnership with NCPOR, Goa and Anthem Biosciences, Bengaluru.
• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2017Provides scientific support for the international antibiotic development project with FNDR and ABAC Therapeutics for Gram-negative bacteria.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TB Alliance: Non-profit product development partnership exclusively focused on discovering and developing faster-acting, affordable TB regimens. Direct comparator and active co-development partner with FNDR on TBA-7371, sharing pipeline economics and clinical execution responsibilities.
• BioVersys: Swiss clinical-stage biotech developing small-molecule therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance and address bacterial transcription factors and biofilm formation. Comparable in AMR focus, small-molecule drug discovery approach, and partnership-heavy development model.
• Bugworks Research India: India-based clinical-stage biotech developing novel broad-spectrum antibiotics against drug-resistant bacterial infections, including WHO priority pathogens. Closely comparable to FNDR in AMR focus, geographic base, and discovery-to-development operating model.
• Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi): Patient-needs-driven non-profit R&D organization developing new treatments for neglected diseases including TB, with a portfolio model and contract research approach closely mirroring FNDR's. Operates across multiple geographies and runs an extensive pharma/biotech partnership network similar to FNDR's.
• FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics): Non-profit focused on developing and delivering diagnostic tests for poverty-related diseases, including TB. Directly comparable to FNDR's diagnostics programs (TB biomarker, bacterial vs viral differentiation) and operates a similar LMIC-focused mission with global grant funding.
• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV): Product development partnership advancing antimalarial drug discovery and delivery through partnerships with academia and pharma. Provides scientific support for FNDR's Gram-negative antibiotic program and operates the same not-for-profit, partner-driven R&D model for infectious diseases.
• Vitas Pharma: India-based biotech developing novel small-molecule treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis. Comparable target disease, geographic base, and small-molecule discovery approach, positioning it as a direct peer for TB pipeline competition and partnering.

Others

• CARB-X: Public-private partnership that accelerates antibacterial R&D by funding and providing portfolio support to AMR-focused developers globally. Functions as a key funder/accelerator in FNDR's ecosystem (e.g., C-CAMP AMR Quest 2020) rather than a direct competitor, but comparable in mission and constituency.

Broad incumbents

• WuXi AppTec: Global CRO/CDMO providing end-to-end drug discovery and development services across multiple therapeutic areas including infectious diseases. Competes with FNDR's fee-for-service preclinical contract research but at vastly larger scale and with broader capabilities.
• Evotec: Global CRO with substantial infectious disease drug discovery capabilities, including BSL-3 facilities and end-to-end small-molecule services. Operates in the same preclinical CRO space as FNDR's fee-for-service business but with a much broader therapeutic and geographic portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fndrin
• Xx.com/fndr_in

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Neglected Disease Research