A fresh perspective on healthcare innovation
They saw a discarded patent. We saw big potential. Unicycive was created to tackle critical underserved patient challenges in the best way we know how–fast. Our goal of helping the most patients as quickly as possible is underscored by a process of turning unexpected opportunities into unmatched potential.
This is biotech done differently.
Our Approach
Flip the script
The status quo is often not good enough. By focusing on the most pressing unmet medical needs, with a unique vantage point, we're delivering massive therapeutic potential.
Finishability
Potential is not good enough. We focus on opportunities with a clear path to the finish line to help patients now, and not years from now.
Underdog mentality
We seek out previously overlooked opportunities and technology and discover new and better uses for them. We see this as a relay, and not a marathon.
Expert collaboration
Our small but mighty leadership team is able to make decisive decisions and move quickly. And our vast healthcare network allows us to connect with patients, HCPs, investors, and scientists, to listen, learn, and innovate.
Meet the Team
Leaders that see the world
differently make the biggest impact
Shalabh Gupta, MD
Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics
Dr. Shalabh Gupta’s background has spanned many facets of healthcare, including founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biocycive Inc.; a commercial strategy role at Genentech, Inc.; equity researcher covering US pharmaceutical companies at UBS Investment Bank; and as an equity researcher covering biotechnology companies at Rodman & Renshaw (currently HC Wainwright), and medical advisor to Synageva BioPharma Corporation.
Shalabh’s unwavering focus on patient success began before his roles in business and finance, while he was an attending physician at NYU Medical Center and a clinical faculty member at the NYU School of Medicine. Shalabh founded Unicycive in 2016, as a continuation of his lifelong mission to deliver game-changing solutions that would make the biggest impact for the most underserved patients on the planet.
Executive Leadership
Douglas Jermasek, M.B.A. Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy
Guru Reddy, Ph.D. Vice President of Preclinical R&D
John Townsend, C.P.A. Chief Financial Officer
Pramod Gupta, Ph.D. Executive Vice President of Pharmaceutical & Business Operations
A powerhouse of biotech
and business innovators
Our Board of Directors and Scientific Board of Directors consists of some of the most esteemed leaders in medicine, biotech, and business. Their governance paired with Unicycive’s leadership team has us uniquely positioned to make a difference in healthcare.
Board of Directors
Shalabh Gupta, MD
Gaurav Aggarwal, MD
Sara Kenkare-Mitra, Ph.D.
Sandeep “Steve” Laumas, MD
Current Pipeline
Turning overlooked technologies
into life-transforming therapies
We’ve redefined the biotech formula to spot what others miss, turn potential into progress, and bring therapies to market with agility, via an end-to-end mining process.
Our different process
Prospect.
We research, explore, and converse to identify unmet patient needs.Uncover.
We unearth existing technologies that we’re previously overlooked, but can be repurposed to provide unmatched solutions.Refine.
Our teams turn existing opportunities into usable, impactful therapies.Launch.
We aim to bring therapies to market that can have an immediate impact for patients.
Our pipeline
Oxylanthanum Carbonate (OLC)
Hyperphosphatemia is a silent killer that affects more than 80% of patients on dialysis and has been directly linked to increased morbidity and mortality1. Despite the availability of 7 FDA-approved phosphate-lowering therapies, hyperphosphatemia remains uncontrolled in an estimated 75% of US dialysis patients2.
OLC is a next-generation lanthanum-based phosphate binding agent utilizing proprietary nanoparticle technology being developed for the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, and may have meaningful patient adherence benefits over currently available treatment options as it requires a lower pill burden for patients in terms of the number and size of pills per dose.
The FDA has set a PDUFA action date of June 28, 2025 for OLC
UNI-494
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common and serious medical condition characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function. In the U.S., AKI impacts 1 in 5 hospitalized adults, with higher prevalence among those in intensive care units3.
UNI-494 is a patented pro-drug of nicorandil which is currently in development for the treatment of AKI. Nicorandil has been shown in preclinical models to improve mitochondrial function by blocking the opening of MPTP pores in the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Learn moreInvestor Information
We’re bullish on the future of
kidney disease solutions
NASDAQ: UNCY
Our investors make it possible for us to create meaningful, positive impact. We believe the best way to create value for investors is to solve for the biggest, immediate needs for patients, and we’re grateful to those who join us on this journey.
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References: 1. Kestenbaum B, Sampson JN, Rudser KD, et al. Serum phosphate levels and mortality risk among people with chronic kidney disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16(2):520-528. doi:10.1681/ASN.2004070602 2. US-DOPPS Practice Monitor, May 2021; http://www.dopps.org/DPM 3. Ugwuowo U, Yamamoto Y, Arora T, et al. Real-Time Prediction of Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Adults: Implementation and Proof of Concept. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020;76(6):806-814.e1. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.05.003