Peptone

Peptone claims to have built the world’s first protein engineering operating system using AI and quantum computing to develop and engineer proteins by studying the past failures of protein research on a large scale. It focuses on drug discovery against intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs)—proteins that lack a fixed or stable 3D structure under physiological conditions, making them flexible and capable of adopting multiple conformations. The company employs cutting-edge structural analysis techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and hydrogen-exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), alongside its proprietary supercomputing capabilities, to simulate and refine potential drug candidates. 

Peptone's operations are strategically split between its protein biophysics research facility in Bellinzona, Switzerland, and its corporate headquarters in London, UK, utilizing a supercomputer based in Keflavik, Iceland, that runs entirely on renewable energy​​.

Key customers and partnerships

Peptone has forged a partnership with the The Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) in December 2023 to accelerate R&D on treatments for prostate cancer. Prior to that, the company partnered with NVIDIA and Verne Global in March 2021 to further enhance its AI drug discovery platform.

The company also participated in the Accenture HealthTech Innovation Challenge in November 2017 and secured a partnership with Accenture to gain access to the latter's pharmaceutical clients.

Funding and financials

Peptone secured USD 40 million in a Series A funding round led by F-Prime Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners in June 2022 to fuel the construction of a research facility in Bellinzona, Switzerland.