XtalPi and PharmaEngine Achieve Dual Breakthroughs in AI-Driven Drug Discovery, Accelerating Clinical Translation of Synthetic Lethality Pipeline

(Source: Hello Zhangjiang)

Recently, XtalPi Holdings LimitedXtalPi(2228.HK) announced that its strategic cooperation with PharmaEngine Inc. (4162.TWO) has achieved significant dual progress.XtalPi-Empowered Discovery of Next-Generation PRMT5 Inhibitor PEP08 Achieves Milestone with Enrollment of Solid Tumor PatientsAt the same time, based on the excellent efficiency of the PEP08 AI drug discovery project and the quality of platform delivery,The two parties have also launched a second AI drug discovery project targeting a completely new "synthetic lethality" point.

PEP08 Project Approved for Clinical Trials in June 2025, Currently Conducting Phase I Clinical Trials for Solid Tumors in Australia and Taiwan, China. The orderly recruitment and dosing of clinical patients not only preliminarily confirm the good safety and tolerability of PEP08 but also mark that this high-value pipeline is advancing rapidly and steadily towards clinical translation.

This pipeline was developed by XtalPi based on its underlying quantum physical models and AI algorithms.RobotThe experimental platform was precisely designed and screened from a million-level molecular library. In response to the severe hematological toxicity caused by the poor selectivity of traditional PRMT5 inhibitors, PEP08 innovatively utilizes the MTA cooperative binding mode to specifically target and kill MTAP-deficient tumor cells, which account for 10-15% of human cancers, while maximizing the protection of normal cells. It shows great potential in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, etc. The preclinical study results published at the 2025 AACR indicate,PEP08 possesses significant advantages over the first-generation PRMT5 inhibitors, demonstrating "Best-in-Class" potential.

Building on the successful experience of PEP08 in drug discovery, the two parties have subsequently initiated the development of PEP10, a second synthetic lethality target project. The launch of this new project fully demonstrates the deep integration of PharmaEngine Inc.'s strong expertise in tumor biology and XtalPi's AI molecular design capabilities, which will help PharmaEngine Inc. accelerate the construction of a uniquely competitive synthetic lethality drug pipeline targeting the high-growth global market for precision cancer treatment.

"Synthetic lethality," recognized as a highly challenging target for research and development, has become a star track for the new generation of anticancer drugs. According to Globocan and industry analysis data, the global synthetic lethality drug market size is expected to grow from $4.2 billion in 2024 to $17.6 billion in 2033, with an annual compound growth rate of 17.3%. In recent years,Multiple synthetic lethality pipelines still in the IND and Phase I clinical stages have reached blockbuster licensing deals exceeding one billion dollars globally, further highlighting the extremely high clinical value and commercial popularity of this field.

The continuous progress of PEP08, along with the simultaneous advancement of a second new drug discovery project, marks that XtalPi's "platform + pipeline" dual-driven model is accelerating the release of scaled benefits.In the high-value, fast-evolving frontier sectors with active trading, XtalPi has frequently achieved milestone advancements. This not only strongly validates the depth of its technological barriers but also demonstrates the company’s significant commercial upside in securing lucrative returns through technology sharing and rights distribution.With high-frequency, high-quality R&D delivery, the company is continuously building a long-term profit engine with strong resilience and high certainty.

Dr. Shu-Hao Wen, Chairman of XtalPi, stated: "Congratulations on the breakthrough progress of PEP08 in clinical development. The steady advancement of PEP08 and the smooth launch of the second project signify not only the success of a single drug but also the best validation of XtalPi's underlying AI and robotics platform’s ‘replicable innovation capability.’ We are transforming highly challenging biological problems into clinical assets with high certainty. As the potential of the platform continues to be unleashed, we are confident in continuously empowering global partners and, through a diversified pipeline, delivering long-term compounded commercial value to shareholders."

"PharmaEngine Inc. continues to strengthen its R&D capabilities. Our collaboration with XtalPi fully demonstrates the company's ability to leverage cutting-edge technology to drive the next generation of breakthrough discoveries in the field of precision oncology," said Dr. Hong-Ren Wang, General Manager of PharmaEngine Inc. "XtalPi's R&D platform played a key role in the early discovery stage of PEP08, laying a solid foundation for its smooth entry into clinical trials. The collaboration between the two parties on PEP08 and the second project is a concrete manifestation of our ongoing efforts to advance global cancer treatment."