Helex Raises $3.5 Million Seed Round to Advance Gene Therapy for Genetic Kidney Diseases

Helex, a biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for genetic kidney diseases, has announced the completion of an oversubscribed $3.5 million Seed round led by pi Ventures, with participation from Bluehill Capital, SOSV, and a global investor syndicate. The latest funding brings Helex’s total capital raised to over $6 million to date.

The company is pioneering programmable non-viral lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapeutics that deliver genetic medicines directly to kidney cells — a major breakthrough in drug delivery. This kidney-targeted approach aims to unlock a new generation of disease-modifying treatments for millions of patients with chronic and rare kidney disorders who currently have limited or no effective options.

Helex’s lead program focuses on Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), a genetic condition affecting more than 12 million people worldwide. Caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, ADPKD leads to cyst formation and progressive loss of kidney function, often resulting in dialysis or transplantation. Helex’s single-dose, non-viral gene-editing therapy aims to halt or significantly slow disease progression.

“This is more than a new treatment; it’s a new hope,” said Dr. Poulami Chaudhuri, Co-founder and CEO of Helex. “By enabling targeted delivery of genomic medicines directly to the kidney, we are developing transformative, accessible, and affordable therapies for patients who have waited far too long for meaningful solutions.”

Roopan Aulakh, Managing Partner at pi Ventures, added, “Helex’s first-in-class mechanism of action could be curative for ADPKD and positions the company to build a differentiated pipeline of kidney disease therapies. We’re excited to back this exceptional team.”

Founded by Dr. Poulami Chaudhuri (CEO), Rohini Kalvakuntla (CBO), and Anirudh Nishtala (COO) — alumni of King’s College London — Helex combines expertise in gene therapy, non-viral delivery, and biotech commercialization. The company also appointed Dr. Suman Alishetty, lipid formulation expert and former scientific co-founder of AexeRNA (acquired by BioNTech), as Vice President of Drug Delivery.

Stephen Chambers, General Partner at SOSV and Managing Director at IndieBio, praised the company’s progress, stating, “Helex has turned one of biotech’s hardest challenges—kidney-targeted delivery—into a clinically meaningful opportunity.”

The new funding will be used to advance Helex’s ADPKD program toward IND-enabling studies, expand its therapeutic pipeline, and further develop its AI-driven Epic-Cure™ and LNP delivery platforms. With this milestone, Helex is positioning itself as a leader in kidney-targeted gene therapy and a potential game-changer for patients with genetic renal diseases.