Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL) has moved decisively into the global biotechnology arena with the incorporation of Sathgen Therapeutics, a wholly owned step-down subsidiary headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey.
The move strengthens GBL’s clinical-stage presence in the United States and positions the company to accelerate drug development through global out-licensing of its intellectual property.
Sathgen Therapeutics grew out of a research vision proposed by Sendurai Mani and backed by GBL Chairman and Managing Director Samir Somaiya. What began as a long-term scientific initiative has matured into an active drug-discovery program with multiple novel molecules in development.
Several candidates have already demonstrated strong preclinical efficacy, including in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and through a new class of compounds that inhibit cancer and cancer stem cells in vitro, with notable activity in breast and prostate cancer models. The program is now protected by patents across the United States, Europe, China, and other major markets.
“The establishment of Sathgen Therapeutics LLC represents an exciting new chapter in our journey of translating science into meaningful solutions,” said Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director of Godavari Biorefineries Limited.
“Fifteen years ago, we asked ourselves a simple but bold question: Why shouldn’t India, long known as the pharmacy of the world for its generics, also contribute to original drug discovery? This ‘moonshot’ approach has guided our efforts across both biorefining and specialty chemicals, and now in breakthrough therapeutics.
"In this program, we chose to address one of the toughest challenges—triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a condition with limited treatment options and difficult prognosis. With contributions from Mani, particularly in the innovative targeting of cancer stem cells, our aim has been not only to advance scientific understanding but also to meaningfully improve patient outcomes. The opening of our U.S. subsidiary strengthens our ability to bring this vision closer to reality.”
The US base is designed to deepen engagement with global partners and move Sathgen’s discoveries into later-stage development.
“Establishing our U.S. presence gives us a strong platform to engage more closely with partners who can carry our technologies into the next stages of development.,” said Padmaja Ganapathy, CEO, Sathgen Therapeutics USA. “My focus is on building meaningful collaborations that enable the efficient out-licensing and advancement of our discoveries, ensuring they reach the patients who need them most.”
Scientific leadership remains central to the strategy. "Our scientific approach has always centered on uncovering the biological drivers behind the most aggressive cancers,” said Dr Sendurai Mani, Chief Scientific Officer, Sathgen Therapeutics USA.
“By targeting cancer stem cells, we see a strong opportunity to impact conditions like TNBC, where treatment options are limited. With the launch of our US subsidiary, we are excited to deepen our collaborations with global scientific and clinical partners and advance discoveries that have the potential to transform patient outcomes.”
To guide its next phase, Sathgen has constituted a Scientific Advisory Board comprising global oncology leaders, including Razelle Kurzrock, a pioneer in precision oncology and early-phase trials, and Massimo Cristofanilli, a leading authority on metastatic breast cancer. Their expertise in clinical-trial design, patient stratification, and translational research is expected to play a key role as the company advances toward US partnerships.
“At Sathgen, our mission is to translate science into impactful therapies,” said Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director of GBL and Head of the Drug Discovery Division. “The formation of our US subsidiary will help accelerate our clinical programs, enable stronger research collaborations, and bring us closer to delivering innovative therapies for patients globally.”
The expansion builds on GBL’s broader commitment to responsible growth, community development, and environmental stewardship. With the launch of Sathgen Therapeutics in the United States, the company is signalling its ambition to pair advanced science with global impact—taking Indian-led innovation into the front lines of cancer drug discovery.
