Bengaluru Startup Peptris Bags $7.7Mn in Funding to Scale AI-driven Drug Discovery

The platform integrates advanced AI to predict molecular behavior, identify potential drug failures at early stages, and optimize candidate selection, which is expected reduce both the cost and time associated with traditional drug discovery.

Bengaluru-based drug discovery startup Peptris has secured $7.7 million Series A funding round, co-led by IAN Alpha Fund and Speciale Invest.

The round also saw participation from Tenacity Ventures, BYT Capital, and other investors.

The fresh capital infusion is aimed at accelerating its AI-powered drug discovery programs towards clinical readiness while enhancing its proprietary AI model designed to generate novel molecules and predict crucial development parameters.

Founded in 2019 by Narayanan Venkatasubramanian (CEO), Shridhar Narayanan (CSO), Anand Budni (CTO), and Amit Mahajan (Chief Data Scientist), the startup has built its proprietary platform, pepAI.

The platform integrates advanced AI to predict molecular behavior, identify potential drug failures at early stages, and optimize candidate selection, which is expected reduce both the cost and time associated with traditional drug discovery.

By facilitating early detection of high-risk compounds and enhancing prediction accuracy, the platform seeks to boost drug development success rates and strengthen the advancement of promising therapeutic prospects during the R&D process.

Additionally, the startup plans to deploy the capital over the period of the next 24 months to expand its pipeline into several initiatives, including new NCE programs, alongside multiple drug repurposing and rescue programs.

Further, as a part of its global strategy, the startup also aims to expand teams across biology, chemistry, data science, and AI, while building dedicated business development capabilities in the US and Europe, and deepening partnerships with global pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Commenting on the new funding, Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, Co-founder & CEO, Peptris, said, “Our mission has been to harness AI to address meaningful healthcare challenges that enhance quality of life, not merely extend lifespan. The true reward lies in seeing this work translate into hope for patients, relief for caregivers, and a more accessible future for those with limited or unaffordable treatment options.”

“Peptris is especially encouraged to have IAN Alpha Fund share this conviction as an early backer, reinforcing our commitment to building impactful, patient-centered innovation,” he added.

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