XTALPI Strategic Investment in Alternative Bio Accelerates First-in-Class Drug Development

On February 10, 2025, XtalPi (XtalPi Holdings-P, XTALPI-P, 2228.HK) announced the completion of a strategic investment in Alternative Bio Inc. and has established an in-depth research and development collaboration with the company. The two parties are jointly advancing innovative drug discovery based on First-in-Class targets identified by Alternative Bio in areas of unmet clinical needs worldwide. As a pioneer in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drug discovery, XtalPi’s AI + robotics technology platform boasts strong molecular innovation capabilities and extensive successful experience in drug R&D, which will provide robust support for Alternative Bio's pipeline development and accelerate its transition to clinical applications.

Alternative Bio Inc. was co-founded by three scientists who possess both global academic influence and a track record of continuous successful entrepreneurship. The company is committed to modulating cellular states by regulating ribosomal and kinase methylation switches, with the aim of developing innovative small-molecule targeted drugs for major diseases such as cancer and inflammation. Core members of the founding scientist team come from Fudan University, Oxford University, and Stanford University, with over 400 published papers, including dozens of high-impact research findings that hold significant implications for human health and disease. Alternative Bio Inc. was established at the end of 2022 and has received seed funding from Sequoia China Seed Fund and FIL Capital Management (Hong Kong) Limited. This strategic investment and technical collaboration with XtalPi will further accelerate the pipeline development of Alternative Bio Inc.

XtalPi boasts an industry-leading AI + robotics drug discovery platform, which integrates high-precision quantum physics, computational chemistry algorithms, and over 300 AI models to efficiently explore vast chemical spaces for drug discovery. It designs and optimizes molecular structures that are both innovative and drug-like, accelerating the clinical translation of novel targets. XtalPi's one-stop drug R&D platform has successfully supported rapid pipeline breakthroughs for many large pharmaceutical companies and innovative biotech firms in and outside China. This powerful collaboration will inject strong innovative momentum into Alternative Bio Inc.'s development of high-value drug pipelines.

Ms. Yang Bin, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Alternative Bio Inc., said:"Honored to establish a strategic partnership with XtalPi as a drug discovery collaborator. Alternative Bio Inc. aims to explore potential targets in the field of protein translation regulation for treating the most challenging diseases, while XtalPi possesses unique AI technological advantages in addressing novel targets. The close collaboration between both parties will significantly accelerate the research and development process of First-in-Class drug targets and pipelines. We look forward to speeding up under the empowerment of an AI-driven drug discovery platform, developing more small molecule inhibitors with high specificity, low toxicity, and substantial clinical value, and delivering high-quality, efficient drugs to patients worldwide as soon as possible."

XtalPi Chief Scientific Officer Peiyu Zhang stated:"Alternative Bio Inc.'s cutting-edge breakthroughs in protein translation regulation and disease mechanism analysis have provided entirely new possibilities for a series of groundbreaking target discoveries. We look forward to close collaboration with world-class scientists, fully leveraging the successful experience and technical advantages of XtalPi's AI + robotics drug discovery platform in overcoming traditional pharmaceutical research bottlenecks and rapidly achieving innovative breakthroughs. By empowering clinical translation with frontier technology, we aim to develop breakthrough therapies for unmet clinical needs."

Currently, Alternative Bio Inc. has multiple First-in-Class drug candidates in its pipeline, with promising experimental data already obtained. Among them, the first project co-developed with XtalPi is a pan-cancer small molecule inhibitor targeting the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, particularly RAS mutation-related cancers. This inhibitor can reverse resistance to KRAS drugs in drug-resistant mouse models. Moreover, when used in combination with KRAS drugs, it significantly outperforms existing standard therapies in suppressing tumor growth, extending animal survival, and reducing mortality, showing broad market potential and application prospects. Another research project by Alternative Bio Inc. is a novel mechanism small molecule inhibitor for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Preclinical data indicate that it exhibits favorable pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, and a relatively ideal safety window, offering the potential for better treatment options for patients.

● AboutAlternative Bio Inc. ● 

Alternative Bio Inc. is dedicated to regulating cell states by modulating ribosomal and kinase methylation switches, and developing small-molecule targeted innovative drugs for major diseases such as cancer and inflammation. The company's vision is to drive original innovation in biomedicine to benefit patients worldwide and establish itself as a global pioneer in this emerging research field.