PopVax - Company Profile, Founder, Funding News and Update

PopVax is an Indian biotechnology startup founded in late 2021, focused on developing next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. Leveraging computational protein design, proprietary lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and novel mRNA architecture for virus-like particle (VLP) display, PopVax has built an end-to-end platform from concept to clinical production. Its first candidate is an open-source COVID-19 vaccine that has shown 10–100x stronger antibody responses in preclinical studies compared to existing US-approved vaccines, aiming to offer broader protection against current and future variants.

PopVax was founded by Soham Sankaran in Mumbai and was previously incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB). Now a 70+ member team, PopVax spans computational design, machine learning, molecular and cell biology, immunology, mRNA delivery, analytical development, GMP production, quality, and regulatory functions—all actively hiring. Their experimental work is based at the RNA Foundry, an integrated R&D and GMP-capable clinical production facility in Hyderabad. PopVax’s efforts are primarily funded through project agreements with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Balvi, a public health and biosecurity initiative by Vitalik Buterin.

About PopVax Company

PopVax Funding and Support

PopVax was incubated at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB). Its journey has been significantly supported by global impact-driven organizations, including:

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

• Balvi (founded by Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin)

These collaborations have fueled the company's mission to create open-source, globally scalable public health solutions.

PopVax Raises $1.15 Mn in Funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

 PopVax Team and Talent

From just an idea in 2021, PopVax has grown into a 70+ member team, bringing together experts in:

• Computational design

• Machine learning

• Molecular & cell biology

• Immunology

• mRNA delivery

• Analytical development

• GMP manufacturing

• Quality and regulatory affairs

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The company is actively hiring across all departments, signaling its rapid expansion and growth.