# Oorja Bio Launches as a Clinical-Stage Company to Develop Groundbreaking Therapies for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Other Fibrotic Diseases

_Friday, June 26, 2026 at 12:56 AM EDT · Startups · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Oorja Bio Launches as a Clinical-Stage Company to Develop Groundbreaking Therapies for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Other Fibrotic Diseases — Primary](https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/13c2e486-08d9-4c2a-96bf-2775b89ac959)

Oorja Bio Inc. announced its launch as a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for fibrotic and cardiopulmonary diseases. The company raised 30 million dollars in Series A financing from Westlake BioPartners. The funds will advance the clinical development of ORJ 001 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and build a pipeline for other fibrotic and cardiopulmonary diseases.

ORJ 001 received investigational new drug clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company plans to begin a Phase 2 clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2026. The candidate is a first-in-class peptide therapeutic designed for subcutaneous administration that restores function of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells and reduces inflammatory and fibrotic signaling.

In preclinical studies ORJ 001 reversed established fibrosis and regenerated normal lung and alveolar morphology in validated animal models. It also showed positive effects on biomarkers of tissue remodeling associated with fibrotic disease progression. Oorja Bio acquired the global rights to ORJ 001 as part of its in-licensing strategy to target the underlying pathophysiology of fibrotic diseases.

The company is led by a founding team with experience advancing novel therapies. Sujay Kango serves as Chief Executive Officer, Janethe Pena as Chief Medical Officer and Connie Coulomb as Chief Business Officer. Kango and Pena previously worked together on sotatercept at Acceleron Pharma prior to its acquisition by Merck and Company.

## Sources

- [GlobeNewswire](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/19/3297907/0/en/oorja-bio-launches-as-a-clinical-stage-company-to-develop-groundbreaking-therapies-for-idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-ipf-and-other-fibrotic-diseases.html)

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Retrieved: 2026-06-26T10:48:53.670Z
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