AI drug discovery startup Peptris raises $1M led by Speciale Invest

Peptris Technologies, a Bangalore-based AI drug discovery startup, has raised $1 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Speciale Invest. The startup didn't reveal the names of other investors and the valuation at which the funds were raised. 

“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," said Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, CEO and co-founder of Peptris.

Revolutionizing the drug discovery process

Peptris is revolutionizing the drug discovery process by implementing advanced AI technology. According to the startup, this approach significantly reduces the time and cost traditionally associated with drug development, which can span over a decade and incur substantial costs. 

The company's AI platform efficiently narrows down extensive chemical libraries to identify promising drug candidates, marking a notable advancement over traditional methods.

Accelerating AI-powered discovery programs

With this round of funding, The startup will focus on accelerating its AI-powered discovery programs and developing a robust pipeline of potential drug candidates.

"The current funding will help us accelerate our AI-powered discovery programs and create a robust pipeline of potential drug candidates,” said Narayanan Venkatasubramanian.

“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 added.

"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.

Strategic expansion 

Peptris said it is expanding its research scope to include rare diseases alongside ongoing work in oncology and inflammation as part of its mission to leverage AI for rapid and efficient discovery of novel therapeutic options. 

The integration of AI in drug discovery, especially for rare diseases, addresses a significant gap in healthcare, as there are over 7,000 known conditions lacking approved treatments, the startup said.

Founding team

Peptris was founded in 2019 by a team blending pharmaceutical knowledge and computational technology expertise. The founding team includes Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, Anand Budni, Amit Mahajan, and Shridhar Narayanan. 

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