Peptris Technologies Uses Generative AI to Target Undruggable Rare Diseases
Bengaluru-based startup leverages AI and government funding to accelerate preclinical drug discovery pipelines.
1Foundational AI-Driven Drug Discovery
Founded in 2019 by Shridhar Narayanan and Venkatasubramanian Narayanan, Peptris Technologies emerged from the C-CAMP campus in Bengaluru. The startup integrates machine learning with traditional pharmaceutical research to accelerate molecule identification. By focusing on complex proteins previously considered undruggable, the company aims to compress early-stage development timelines for high-need medical conditions.
2Strategic Capital and Funding
Peptris recently secured ₹86 crore through the government’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund. This follows a ₹70 crore Series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund and Speciale Invest in February. These financial resources are designated to advance four internal preclinical assets and expand the company's in-house development capabilities.
3Targeting Rare Disease Markets
The company focuses on rare diseases, a sector where 95% of the estimated 7,000 conditions currently lack cures. Peptris has already out-licensed its repurposed candidate PEPR124 to Revio Therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This molecule, originally intended for diabetes, has received orphan drug designation from the USFDA to expedite its clinical pathway.
4Mitigating Traditional Biotech Risks
Peptris utilizes a disease-agnostic platform to avoid the binary success-or-failure risks associated with single-asset biotech models. By working across oncology, inflammation, and rare diseases, the firm maintains a diverse pipeline. Their algorithm also identifies potential off-target effects, evaluating how molecules interact with proteins beyond the primary intended therapeutic target.
5Generative Chemistry and Benchmarking
Operating within the generative-chemistry layer, Peptris optimizes small molecules while predicting their drug-like properties. The team benchmarks their proprietary models against global open-source standards like Boltz 2. While acknowledging that some targets remain challenging, the firm continues to refine its predictive accuracy through iterative biochemical and cellular testing cycles.
6Pragmatic Approach to Innovation
CEO Venkat emphasizes that AI is a tool for biologists rather than a standalone solution. The company maintains rigorous validation standards, testing predictions at cellular and animal levels before proceeding. This pragmatic methodology ensures that AI-generated insights are translated into viable clinical candidates through traditional scientific verification and laboratory expertise.
7Competitive Edge in India
Peptris leverages India's cost advantage to maximize research output with limited capital. Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed of C-CAMP notes that the startup differentiates itself by converging deep scientific expertise with accessible early-stage capabilities. This strategic positioning allows the company to remain agile while competing against global firms in the crowded biopharma market.
8Future Development Trajectory
Peptris is transitioning from a pure AI-powered discovery firm to a full-fledged development entity. The founders intend to retain more assets in-house before out-licensing, signaling a shift toward higher risk-taking and long-term value creation. This evolution reflects the broader trend of AI-native biotechs seeking greater control over their clinical pipelines.