TandemAI extends Series A with $22M to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery

On November 14, TandemAI announced the completion of a $22 million Series A extension round to scale its globally leading drug discovery platform. The platform integrates cutting-edge AI and physics-based computational technologies, supported by comprehensive and highly efficient wet-lab capabilities. This round was co-led by new investors V-Capital and KHK Fund, with participation from existing investors OrbiMed, Qiming Venture Partners, Chengwei Capital, and Sequoia Capital. Since its establishment in 2022, TandemAI has raised over $80 million in total funding.

TandemAI has built a professional team of over 300 members since its inception. Leveraging its AI-driven, end-to-end integrated drug discovery engine, the company has delivered more than 10 highly valuable and differentiated drug candidates, with related programs either already in or approaching clinical development. TandemAI has also established collaborations with four of the top ten global multinational pharmaceutical companies, building an ecosystem that serves over 150 partners and clients worldwide.

TandemAI is systematically reshaping the foundational infrastructure of drug discovery through its comprehensive deployment of generative AI, all-atom physics modeling based on molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics calculations, and its globally leading AI-powered drug discovery operating system, TandemViz™. This innovative platform covers the entire drug discovery workflow—from target structure prediction and assessment, through hit identification and lead optimization, to the selection of preclinical candidate compounds (PCCs). It significantly enhances R&D efficiency and success rates, delivering highly efficient and precise research solutions.

V-Capital's Zhao Jianghua commented: "TandemAI has successfully validated its core strategy of integrating AI, physics-based modeling, and wet-lab experimentation, establishing a commercially proven, industry-leading platform. Supported by this funding, the core team will further deepen its existing small molecule business while leveraging the recent strategic merger with Perpetual Medicines to capture emerging opportunities in peptide and APC (Advanced Pharmaceutical Constructs) R&D."

Hua Jie, Partner and Head of Healthcare Investments at KHK Fund, stated: "AI and advanced physics-based technologies are becoming pivotal in drug discovery. TandemAI's technology platform has significantly enhanced R&D efficiency and success rates in areas including small molecules and complex peptides, achieving rapid growth against market headwinds. We are honored to support the company as it enters its next phase of expansion."

Jeff He (He Qi), Co-founder and CEO of TandemAI, said: "This funding round represents strong recognition of TandemAI's current achievements and strategic direction. The capital will be used to advance our AI and physics-based modeling capabilities for small molecules, peptides, and other modalities, while also upgrading wet-lab capacity to meet rapidly growing client demand." He noted that the strategic merger with Perpetual Medicines has also brought in seasoned drug development experts Dr. Kerry Blanchard and Dr. Ved Srivastava, further strengthening TandemAI's end-to-end drug discovery and development expertise.