Pepticom Secures $5M Series A Funding to Advance AI-Driven Peptide Drug Discovery Platform

On October 28, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that biopharmaceutical company Pepticom announced the completion of a $5 million Series A financing round. The round was led by the private equity firm Operating Location.

It is reported that Pepticom will use the funds from this round of financing to further refine its novel AI model, aiming to enhance the efficacy of peptide drug molecules while reducing development risks in the next phase.

Pepticom, established in December 2011 and headquartered in Jerusalem, Israel, is an artificial intelligence company specializing in the biopharmaceutical sector. As a pioneer in this field, the company primarily leverages AI technology to develop peptide-based therapeutics. Pepticom serves diverse markets, including agriculture and pharmaceuticals, providing solutions that help research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and agricultural enterprises accelerate the discovery of new molecules while effectively reducing development costs and risks.

Pepticom has discovered immunomodulator-related peptide molecules with the potential to treat metabolic diseases. The company’s proprietary AI technology streamlines the peptide drug development process, significantly accelerating R&D speed. Peptides influence various physiological processes, including hormonal regulation, neural function, cell growth, and reproduction. By arranging and combining the 20 different amino acids in varying sequences, thousands of distinct peptide-based therapeutics can be generated. These drugs exhibit high selectivity, efficacy, and relative safety, making them suitable for treating a wide range of diseases.

Currently, Pepticom’s AI technology can screen 10 to 30 peptide molecules, offering a broader range of options than other screening technologies. By searching through vast amounts of data, the technology eliminates infeasible molecules at an early stage, ultimately identifying peptide molecules with potential medical value. The AI technology screens for candidates with excellent solubility and permeability, which is of great significance for the development of peptide drugs.

Immanuel Lerner, Founder and CEO of Pepticom, stated, “Pepticom’s team possesses advanced technology and strong execution capabilities. This investment will further enhance the R&D efficiency of peptide drugs, significantly shortening the time to market for new therapies.”

Eyal Agmoni, Chairman of the High-Tech Sector, stated, “We believe that Pepticom will leverage AI technology to advance peptide drug discovery and revolutionize the current landscape of peptide-based therapeutics. This financing will enable the further development of Pepticom’s proprietary technology, driving progress in Israel’s high-tech industry.”

“Pepticom combines AI with pharmacy and biology to create a groundbreaking technology platform, pioneering a unique approach to drug discovery,” said Dr. Yaron Daniely, CEO and President of the biotechnology company Yissum.

Operating Location, established in 1989 and headquartered in Bangalore, India, is a private equity firm. The company primarily engages in acquisitions within the mid-to-low-end market, with a focus on disruptive technology sectors. Operating Location maintains offices in six countries: Japan, Singapore, Germany, Thailand, Luxembourg, and Israel.

(Compiled by Xu Xiaoxue)