Biotech pharma

Keylika

Website

Keylika is an early stage biopharma startup developing metal-based drugs using a platform synthesis technology to treat unmet medical needs. We then administer these drugs using proven delivery technologies to effect the best clinical outcomes. Our first product is a small molecule iron drug (new molecular entity) delivered by a wearable skin p

Founded 2022Origin source ↗Checked 2026-09-15

Overview

Keylika is an early stage biopharma startup developing metal-based drugs using a platform synthesis technology to treat unmet medical needs. We then administer these drugs using proven delivery technologies to effect the best clinical outcomes.

Our first product is a small molecule iron drug (new molecular entity) delivered by a wearable skin patch to treat Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), with significantly higher safety, efficacy and tolerability over existing treatments. This is poised to be a best-in-class, potentially breakthrough therapy for treating iron deficiency without any GI side-effects (eg. nausea, constipation, diarrhea, etc.) typically associated with oral iron supplements, and without the risks, costs and side-effects associated with IV iron infusions. When approved, Keylika’s proprietary transdermal iron will be the world's first prescription iron patch. Iron deficiency is a hugely understated problem affecting about 1.6 billion people worldwide and more than 30 million in the US alone, translating to a $17B US market.

Company description As recorded 2026-11-08
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Biotech pharmaHardware deviceBusinesses & consumersConsumerLicensing

Founders & team

Buddha Chaudhuri

Founder

Buddha spearheaded the technology development of a microneedle-based biosensor from lab-to-fab for a Series B stage medtech startup. Having worked across 3 continents and 6 countries, he has been instrumental in developing novel healthcare technologies in leading global research institutes and biotech companies, for the last 15 years. Buddha earned his PhD from Imec / KU Leuven in Belgium, in Drug Delivery Microsystems. He also pursued a Postdoc at UC San Francisco (UCSF) / UC Berkeley.

LinkedIn X
Founder profile As recorded 2026-09-15

Frederik Ceyssens

Founder

With a deep passion for diverse technologies, Frederik is truly a multi-domain expert. From tiny moving machines to nuclear space rockets, and electrical circuits to medical devices – Frederik has pursued an illustrious scientific career over the last 15 years developing key microtechnologies for lifescience applications. He also founded a venture-backed neurotech startup to cure blindness. Frederik holds a PhD and a Masters in IC design as well as a Bachelors' in Medicine.

Founder profile As recorded 2026-09-15
1team members reported
Source-reported As recorded 2026-09-15

Founded 2022 · Source

News & product activity

Sources & observations

Y Combinator

Profile depthverified profile
Website observationwebsite reachable
Last website check2026-11-11
Location · source statedSan Francisco, CA, USA; Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Pricing evidenceNo pricing page confirmed
Maturity: Not assessed · 3 of 6 areas documented

Source-based assessment · automated evidence rules

The retained text does not establish product availability or customer use.

Maturity is an evidence-based assessment, not a success rating. It may understate the current stage where evidence is limited. Coverage records documented areas, not a complete or independently audited company history.

Stage definitions
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