This Startup Uses Silkworms to Make Medicine — And Just Raised $3.25 Million to Change the Future of Protein Manufacturing

How Loopworm Is Changing Biotechnology With Silkworms

Imagine using silkworms — yes, the same little insects that produce silk — as tiny factories to create important proteins for medicines and vaccines. This is exactly what Loopworm, an innovative biotech startup, is doing. And recently, they raised a whopping $3.25 million in pre-Series A funding to take their groundbreaking idea to the next level.

What Makes Loopworm’s Approach So Unique?

Traditional protein manufacturing involves complex and expensive processes using genetically modified microbes and huge stainless-steel tanks called fermenters. Loopworm is rewriting this playbook by using silkworms as “living bioreactors.”

Instead of relying on machines, they farm silkworms that produce recombinant proteins naturally. These proteins are essential building blocks used in diagnostics, animal vaccines, and more. This biological approach can speed up production and lower costs, especially since it faces fewer regulatory hurdles than traditional methods.

The Story Behind Loopworm

Founded in 2019 by two IIT Roorkee graduates, Ankit Alok Bagaria and Abhi Gawri, Loopworm combines deep scientific expertise with a fresh, eco-friendly vision for protein production.

Their goal is simple but bold: create sustainable, affordable protein manufacturing that can revolutionize healthcare and agriculture.

The Power of Fresh Funding: What Will Loopworm Do Next?

The recent $3.25 million funding round was led by WaterBridge Ventures and ENRISSION INDIA CAPITAL from Japan, building on their earlier $3.4 million seed investment from Omnivore and others.

With this capital boost, Loopworm plans to:

• Scale up their production capacity so more silkworms can produce more proteins
• Expand research partnerships to explore new applications
• Speed up the launch of their recombinant protein products into markets with faster approval

The company is targeting areas like diagnostics and animal vaccines where their technology can make an immediate impact.

Why This Matters: The Future of Sustainable Biomanufacturing

Protein production is vital for medicine, agriculture, and research. But traditional methods are costly, slow, and often resource-heavy.

Loopworm’s silkworm platform offers a greener, faster, and cheaper alternative. If successful, it could change how we produce proteins globally — making critical medicines more accessible while reducing environmental impact.

What’s Next for Loopworm and Biotechnology?

Loopworm’s journey is just beginning. As they scale and bring their products to market, the startup could become a major player in biotech innovation.

Their work also highlights a growing trend: using nature’s own solutions, like insects, to solve complex scientific and industrial challenges.