Eyestem Research announces Rs 130 Cr investment in Karnataka to advance affordable cell therapies

Bengaluru-based startup Eyestem Research, one of India’s foremost regenerative medicine companies, has announced a major expansion in Karnataka through a Rs 130 crore investment, formalised via a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed with the Government of Karnataka during the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025.

The announcement was made by State IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge, who highlighted Eyestem as a key driver of the state’s growing biotechnology and advanced therapeutics ecosystem.

Under the LoI, Eyestem will establish a cutting-edge Cell Therapy R&D and GMP Manufacturing Facility, accelerating the development and clinical translation of its flagship product Eyecyte-RPE. This iPSC-based therapy is designed to treat Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (Dry AMD)—a leading global cause of irreversible blindness affecting millions.

Eyestem is among only six global companies developing iPSC-derived retinal therapies and is committed to making such treatments affordable and accessible. Through its upcoming manufacturing facility, the company aims to deliver cell therapies at a target cost of Rs 3–4 lakh, a fraction of international prices. Eyestem’s scientific platform is supported by collaborations with premier institutions including Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and AIIMS, underscoring its global research credibility.

Minister Kharge praised Eyestem’s investment as a transformative milestone for Karnataka’s biotechnology sector, noting that it strengthens the state’s capabilities in next-generation therapeutics, precision medicine, and deep biotech manufacturing. He further announced that Karnataka secured Rs 2,600 crore worth of LoIs across semiconductor, EV battery, and biotech sectors at BTS 2025, expected to create 3,500 new jobs.

With this expansion, Eyestem Research positions Karnataka as a central hub for world-class stem cell innovation, reinforcing India’s advancement in affordable, cutting-edge healthcare solutions.