Hyderabad Biotech Utopia Therapeutics Secures US Patent for Immunotherapy-Based Obesity Vaccine

Incubated at the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) for nearly two years, Utopia Therapeutics is developing what it describes as the world’s first obesity vaccine that works through active immunisation rather than traditional daily drugs or injections. The novel approach is aimed at tackling obesity and associated metabolic disorders, including fatty liver disease and elevated triglycerides, which continue to rise globally amid limited long-term treatment options.

The company’s lead candidate, UT-009, has been designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to generate specific antibodies targeting key pathways involved in fat accumulation and abnormal lipid levels. According to the firm, this immunotherapy-based strategy may offer longer-lasting benefits compared to conventional therapies that require continuous dosing.

The start-up was founded by scientists Dr Uday Saxena and Dr Gopi Kadiyala. Dr Saxena, who previously contributed to the development of atorvastatin (Lipitor) during his tenure with Parke-Davis and Pfizer, stated that the vaccine could take approximately five years to reach the market. He highlighted that obesity represents a $30-billion global market, with India ranking second worldwide in obesity prevalence.

Utopia recently received US Patent No. 12,502,428 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent covers both the composition of the obesity vaccine and its methods of use, strengthening the company’s international intellectual property protection.

Beyond its vaccine programme, Utopia is also working on a functional sweetener named NexaSweet, positioned as a gut-health-focused alternative to conventional sugar substitutes. Unlike typical sweeteners that mainly aim to reduce caloric intake, NexaSweet is being developed to support gut lining repair and enhance metabolic resilience.

Deccan Chronicle reports that NexaSweet was showcased at a start-up-investor meet organised by Whale Tank BioCatalysts at the Indian School of Business, and the initiative has received backing from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

The company has also secured seed investment from Whale Tank BioCatalysts to accelerate development of both UT-009 and its functional nutrition portfolio, reflecting investor confidence in its dual focus on metabolic disease immunotherapies and nutrition-oriented innovations.