Bengaluru-Based Peptris Secures Pre-Seed Funding from Speciale Invest

With the fresh capital infusion, the startup aims to boost its efforts in advancing AI-driven solutions in drug development with a special focus on developing novel therapies for undruggable targets, particularly in oncology, inflammation, and rare diseases.

Bengaluru-based Peptris Technologies has received $1 million in Pre-Seed funding round led by Speciale Invest, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage startups with high growth potential.

With the fresh capital infusion, the startup aims to boost its efforts in advancing AI-driven solutions in drug development with a special focus on developing novel therapies for undruggable targets, particularly in oncology, inflammation, and rare diseases.

Further, the funds shall also be utilised to expand the team, scale up the platform, and explore new applications in drug discovery, such as antibody-drug conjugates, vaccines, and COVID-19 therapies.

Founded in 2019, Peptris is led by a founding team comprising Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, Anand Budni, Amit Mahajan and Shridhar Narayanan. The startup seeks to transform the traditionally lengthy and costly drug discovery process by harnessing its advanced AI platform.

Expressing his thoughts, Narayanan Venkatasubramanian, CEO and cofounder, Peptris said, “The backing from Speciale Invest is set to catalyse Peptris’ journey, supporting the expansion of the drug pipeline and further refinement of the platform. This funding isn’t just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in the future of healthcare in India, bringing hope of more accessible and affordable treatments to millions.”

The integration of AI in drug discovery, particularly in the context of rare diseases, addresses over 7000 known conditions lacking approved treatments. By focusing on rare diseases, Peptris not only bridges a critical gap in healthcare but also makes a significant contribution to societal welfare, providing hope for patients and families affected by these conditions.

Further, its AI tech efficiently narrows down extensive chemical libraries to pinpoint promising drug candidates, marking a significant advancement over traditional drug discovery methods.

Moreover, this investment also aligns with Speciale Invest’s mission to support deep tech startups set to revolutionise their industries through scientific research and innovative technologies.

In a similar development, Cipla invested an additional $5.04 million in GoApptiv to enhance digital healthcare access. With this capital, GoApptiv is expected to strengthen its foothold across the healthcare continuum, mainly targeting underserved populations. The aim is to facilitate greater access to life-saving treatments, aligning with Cipla's mission to address critical healthcare gaps in India.