Parul Ganju, Founder and CEO of Ahammune Biosciences.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The next in the series featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, technologists and researchers about emerging technologies and what students need to know about these fields.
What do you do?
I am the co-founder and CEO of Ahammune Biosciences, a drug discovery company developing new treatments for skin diseases. Our scientists have developed a proprietary small-molecule therapeutics platform that targets first-in class mechanisms of action that trigger autoimmunity in skin. We are using this platform to develop a new treatment for vitiligo, the world’s most common depigmenting disorder that does not have a cure yet.
Why is your work important?
Skin diseases are the fourth largest global health burden, affecting about two billion people. Diseases like vitiligo lead to significant emotional, social, and psychological burdens. Current treatments are limited, often ineffective, and unpredictable. We are developing targeted, science-driven therapies to address this unmet medical need. By advancing innovative treatments, we aim to improve quality of life, reduce stigma, and bring care to patients everywhere, transforming how vitiligo and other skin conditions are understood and treated globally.
What is exciting about your work?
We are uncovering new biological pathways behind vitiligo and using that knowledge to develop truly innovative treatments so that patients may have options that go beyond symptom management. Our research has the potential to shift the treatment paradigm in dermatology and bring hope to millions living with visible, stigmatising skin diseases. We are turning scientific discovery into meaningful impact.
Any experiences in college that led you to become an entrepreneur?
During my Ph.D., I worked closely with vitiligo patients while researching skin immunology. Hearing their stories, especially their desperation for effective treatment, was a turning point. I realised that how poorly their needs were being met by current therapies and how little innovation was reaching them. That experience made it clear to me: I did not just want to study the disease. I wanted to create real solutions. That drove me towards entrepreneurship in drug discovery.
What should students specifically know about your field?
Drug discovery is a powerful example of why STEM matters. It is where science, technology, and innovation come together to solve real-world health challenges. From understanding diseases to designing life-saving medicines, this field shows how STEM can directly improve lives. The process is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
The writer is an avid follower of emerging technologies and their applications.
Published – July 13, 2025 10:00 am IST
