Roche Bets $460 Million on AI/ML-Powered Small Molecule Drug Discovery with Ventus Therapeutics

WALTHAM, Mass. and MONTREAL, Oct. 21 -- Ventus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company advancing two Phase 2 clinical small molecule programs for immunology, inflammatory, and neurology diseases, today announced a multi-year collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to discover and optimize novel small molecule candidates targeting challenging targets in major disease areas using Ventus’ proprietary drug discovery platform, ReSOLVE®.Thing.Ventus completed a $50 million Series A financing round in 2020, a $100 million Series B financing round in 2021, and a $140 million Series C financing round in 2022.More Than $700 Million Licensing Deal with Novo Nordisk, Including $70 Million Upfront Payment, Mainly for Oral NLRP3 InhibitorVENT-01. Core pipeline at presentOralcGAS InhibitorVENT-03 TreatmentLupus in Phase 2 Clinical Trial, Blood-Brain Barrier PenetrationOral NLRP3 InhibitorVENT-02 for the treatment of Parkinson's disease is in Phase 2 clinical trials.Caspase-4/5 InhibitorVENT-04 is in the preclinical stage. (Novo Nordisk: Acquires NLRP3 Inhibitor for $703 Million, with Academician Hao Wu as SAB Chair）

ReSOLVE® combines the latest advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, protein science, structural biology, and biophysics to generate precise and dynamic water networks within protein pockets. The resulting WaterMap® can be used to support lead identification and lead optimization for novel small-molecule therapies, at only a fraction of the time and cost of traditional screening processes.

Ventus Therapeutics Chief Scientific Officer Michael Crackower, Ph.D., stated:"ReSOLVE® uniquely simulates the structure of water in motion to better understand protein structures, thereby shortening drug discovery time and accelerating patient benefits. Genentech is a global leader in drug discovery, responsible for bringing the most important drugs of our time to patients. We look forward to working together to discover breakthrough drugs."

According to the terms of the agreement, Ventus will use ReSOLVE® for virtual screening and lead identification of novel small molecules targeting multiple targets.GenentechWill proceed with subsequent preclinical development, clinical development, and commercialization. In addition, Ventus may utilize ReSOLVE® to support other discovery programs by Genentech. Ventus will receive an upfront payment and is eligible for over $460 million in additional preclinical, development, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.

Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Corporate Business Development at Roche, stated:"Roche and Genentech continue to invest in breakthrough technologies to help us provide differentiated treatments for patients. Collaborating with biotech companies like Ventus brings unique computational approaches to drug discovery, with the potential to generate innovative medicines for historically challenging targets."

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