Shalabh Gupta has always been a man of vision.
Born in Fatehapur, Uttar Pradesh, and raised in Kanpur, Shalabh Gupta’s early years were marked by an innate curiosity and a deep passion for science. His father was his first role model and nurtured his curiosity about science.
“My dad was my biggest influence, both personally and professionally,” he recalls. “He inspired me to not just dream, but to actively pursue those dreams.”
Today, Dr. Gupta is the founder and CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company he started in 2016 to bring much-needed therapies to market. With a career that spans medicine, finance, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Gupta has pursued technology and innovation as a way to make a big impact in the lives of patients across the world.
A foundation in medicine
Dr. Gupta’s postgraduate education began at NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus on Health Care Finance and Management. He then went on to complete his medical training at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where he specialized in Internal Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
“Academically, I was always strong, but I didn’t focus much on co-curricular activities,” he says. “My real passion was in learning and understanding deep scientific concepts.”
After graduating from medical school, Dr. Gupta went to work on Wall Street. He would later credit his time in finance as a spark that led him to entrepreneurship.
On Wall Street, he was a bit of a trailblazer. He was the first Wall Street analyst to simultaneously hold a job as a practicing physician, working as a doctor on weekends and holidays.
Dr. Gupta spent years working in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. One of his favorite positions was working as a commercial strategist at biotech giant Genentech.
“Working at Genentech was one of my favorite jobs,” Gupta shares. “It helped me think about building a culture and building a team, which later became crucial when I founded my own companies.”
The birth of Unicycive
Dr. Gupta founded Unicycive Therapeutics in 2016. His vision was clear: to develop and deliver innovative therapies that would otherwise remain shelved.
“I founded Unicycive by myself and acquired two products in 2018,” he explains. “My initial vision was to bring new medicines to market, and as our products get closer to market, my resolve and commitment only grows stronger.”
Dr. Gupta attributes part of his success to his ability to identify gaps in the market, and then finding a way to bridge those gaps with innovative solutions. Prior to founding Unicycive, he had already founded and led several successful ventures, including BioCycive Inc., which was acquired by Sorrento Therapeutics for over $160 million.
His ability to transition from practicing physician to biotech entrepreneur is a rare feat, driven by his desire to create value for patients and investors alike.
Dr. Gupta’s leadership and the Unicycive team
Under his leadership, Unicycive has navigated the complexities of the biopharmaceutical industry with a clear focus on unmet medical needs. The company’s mission is not just to bring products to market but to ensure they have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes.
“My vision remains the same: to bring new medicine that would otherwise not be available,” Dr. Gupta reiterates. His dedication is reflected in Unicycive’s pipeline, which includes treatments for rare and orphan diseases—areas often overlooked by larger pharmaceutical companies due to their limited market potential.
At Unicycive, Dr. Gupta leads a team of dedicated professionals who share his vision of advancing healthcare through innovation. “Our fantastic team, with the support of our partners and investors, is developing the medicines that our patients need so badly,” he says.
Despite the challenges that come with leading a biotech startup, Dr. Gupta remains focused and optimistic about the future. His leadership style is rooted in the lessons he learned early in his career—particularly the importance of building a strong, cohesive team.
“My experience at Genentech taught me the value of team-building, and that’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my entrepreneurial journey,” he says.
Beyond his role at Unicycive, Dr. Gupta has also been an advisor to various institutions, including Stanford University’s SPARK program and UCSF Innovation Ventures. These roles allow him to stay connected with the academic and research communities, fostering collaborations that can accelerate the development of new therapies.
“I’m passionate about innovation, and being able to contribute to these institutions is incredibly rewarding,” Gupta adds.
Personal life and philosophy
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Gupta is a man of diverse interests. He enjoys reading non-fiction biographies, learning to play the guitar with his son, and gardening.
“Gardening teaches you patience and the importance of nurturing something to see it grow,” he reflects.
He is also an avid traveler, with a particular fondness for Tuscany, which he describes as “a favorite destination for the beauty of the countryside and culture.” When it comes to sports, he follows the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Lakers, and he admires Warren Buffet for his systematic approach to investing and creating value.
As a husband of over 18 years, Dr. Gupta values his family deeply and credits his father for teaching him to think beyond what is possible today.
“I firmly believe that, as human beings, we have a choice, and we can make a big difference by doing one small thing at a time,” he says, summarizing his life philosophy.
Dr. Shalabh Gupta’s journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to leading a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company is a story of determination, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare. As Unicycive Therapeutics continues to grow under his leadership, Dr. Gupta remains focused on his ultimate goal: bringing life-changing medicines to patients who need them most.
“I wish I had become an entrepreneur sooner in life,” Dr. Gupta admits. “But now, I’m fully committed to helping build companies that create value for our employees and patients. That’s what drives me every day.”