Zephyr AI

Zephyr AI is a drug discovery and precision medicine company that leverages AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to assist pharmaceutical companies with deep insights to expedite the drug development process. The company uses a unique three-pronged approach that integrates multi-dimensional datasets, transparent AI, and structured biological network-based analyses, to work together in generating insights. 

The company’s healthcare datasets leverage a variety of sources including electronic health records, medical imaging data, and clinical trial data, gathered via partnerships with payers, providers, and pharma companies. It also develops its proprietary datasets to be used with its AI/ML algorithms. It has so far identified more than 100 novel drug targets and several dozens of possible ways of drug repurposing. In May 2021, the company published its first discovery demonstrating antibiotic azithromycin—a medication used for several bacterial infections—as a potential treatment for lung cancer. 

Currently, Zephyr only licenses its platform to drug developers and pharmaceutical companies. However, it has hinted at the possibility of discovering and developing its own drugs.

Founded in 2020, Zephyr AI emerged from stealth in November 2021 followed by a seed funding round in March 2022 that raised USD 18.5 million. The funds will be used to advance its AI capabilities and grow its healthcare datasets.