AI-Powered Protein Design: DenovAI's Breakthrough in Drug Discovery

DenovAI, an AI-first biotechnology company, has unveiled a groundbreaking protein design platform capable of creating new, functional synthetic proteins from scratch. This marks a significant leap forward in drug discovery and precision medicine.

From Prediction to Creation: The AlphaDesign Breakthrough

Developed by Dr. Kashif Sadiq, Dr. Michael Jendrusch, and Professor Dr. Jan Korbel at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), AlphaDesign combines generative models with optimization techniques. This advanced platform can produce synthetic protein sequences and structures entirely de novo, without relying on evolutionary data or known protein templates.

"Our research shows what happens when, for design, we stop only tweaking nature’s proteins and start building our own from scratch," said Dr. Kashif Sadiq, Founder and CEO of DenovAI and co-senior author of the paper. "We’ve demonstrated that AlphaDesign can generate proteins that fold as intended and function in living systems, including by targeting complex bacterial immune mechanisms."

Real-World Protein Function, Not Just Computational Hits

Unlike many studies that only showcase computational potential, this study includes experimental validation of biological function. The researchers created 88 synthetic proteins targeting bacterial immune systems that complicate therapeutic phage applications—called retrons. Of these, 17 were confirmed as functional inhibitors in vivo. This is one of the most successful demonstrations to date of AI-designed proteins functioning in biological systems, particularly against complex, poorly understood targets.

DenovAI’s Therapeutic Vision and Commercial Platform

DenovAI holds the exclusive license to AlphaDesign through EMBLEM, EMBL’s tech transfer partner. In just 18 months, the company has evolved the technology into a proprietary platform focused on designing therapeutic antibodies, mini proteins, and biologics aimed at traditionally hard-to-drug targets. Accuracy is crucial because it reduces required design iteration, accelerating the path to clinical trials and enhancing the likelihood of improved efficacy, safety profiles, and clinical success.

"This paper is both a scientific validation of our approach and a foundation for our broader mission to transform and accelerate drug discovery and precision medicine by designing biology itself," said Dr. Sadiq. "Ultimately this translates to delivering better outcomes for patients. Our vision is that for a given disease, we’ll one day be able to design the right therapeutic molecule, right from the start."

Backed by Industry Giants, DenovAI Eyes Expansion

Already backed by companies such as AION Labs, Merck KGaA, and Pfizer, DenovAI has secured seed funding to advance its research and development. The company is now preparing for a Series A round to expand therapeutic programs and deepen collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies.

DenovAI’s innovative approach to protein design is not just a scientific breakthrough but a commercial opportunity. By leveraging AI to create synthetic proteins with precise biological functions, the company is poised to revolutionize the drug discovery landscape and deliver better outcomes for patients.