AI powered drug discovery startup Peptris raises $1M in pre seed funding

New Delhi: Peptris Technologies, a Bangalore-based AI drug discovery company, has announced $1M in pre seed round investment led by Speciale Invest.

This strategic funding marks a pivotal step in boosting Peptris’ efforts in advancing AI-driven solutions in the drug development/discovery sector, with a special focus on developing novel therapies for undruggable targets, particularly in oncology, inflammation, and rare diseases.

Founded in 2019, Peptris is led by a founding team that combines deep pharmaceutical knowledge with advanced computational technology. This blend of expertise is crucial for developing innovative solutions in the field of drug discovery.

Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, Anand Budni, and Amit Mahajan are computational experts who met during their stint at Philips. Shridhar Narayanan brings experience from the pharmaceutical side and has contributed to the discovery and development of several clinical candidate drugs, including Enmetazobactam. The team has been incubated at C-CAMP in Bangalore and has received grant support from various government agencies in the past, reinforcing the credibility and potential of its innovative approach.

“We are thrilled to announce that we have secured investment from Speciale Invest. We are particularly impressed by their breadth of investment in the deep tech sector, which reflects a profound understanding and commitment to driving technological advancements. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey. The current funding will help us accelerate our AI-powered discovery programs and create a robust pipeline of potential drug candidates,” said Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, CEO and co-founder of Peptris.

“The backing from Speciale Invest is set to catalyze Peptris’ journey, supporting the expansion of the drug pipeline and further refinement of the platform. This funding isn’t just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the future of healthcare in India, bringing hope of more accessible and affordable treatments to millions,” Venkat further added.

Peptris is revolutionizing drug discovery through the implementation of its state-of-the-art AI platform. It is transforming the traditionally lengthy and costly drug discovery process, which often spans over a decade and incurs substantial costs, making essential medications financially out of reach for many. This technology efficiently narrows down extensive chemical libraries to pinpoint promising drug candidates, marking a significant advancement over traditional drug discovery methods.

“We are excited to join Peptris’ journey in transforming the future of pharmaceutical and health tech in India. Peptris’ groundbreaking work in AI-driven drug discovery aligns perfectly with Speciale’s investment strategy. We hope this partnership will help leverage India’s pharmaceutical expertise and computational talents, making a significant impact globally. This investment aligns with Speciale Invest’s mission to support deep tech startups set to revolutionize their industries through scientific research and innovative technologies,” said Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest.

Peptris is broadening its research scope to include rare diseases, in addition to its ongoing work in oncology and inflammation. This strategic expansion aligns with the company’s mission to leverage AI for the rapid and efficient discovery of novel therapeutic options. The integration of AI in drug discovery, particularly in the context of rare diseases, addresses over 7000 known conditions lacking approved treatments. By focusing on rare diseases, Peptris not only bridges a critical gap in healthcare/biotechnology but also makes a significant contribution to societal welfare, providing hope for patients and families affected by these conditions.