Bengaluru-based artificial intelligence drug discovery startup Peptris Technologies has secured US$8.98 million, or ₹860 million, in optionally convertible debt from India's Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology. The funding supports the VIGOR program, which will advance four AI-discovered drug candidates from Technology Readiness Level 4 to Technology Readiness Level 6 over three years. The total project cost is ₹1,720 million, equivalent to approximately US$17.96 million.
Funding Structure and Program Scope
The financial support is provided through the Research Development and Innovation Fund, commonly called the RDI Fund. The assistance is structured as optionally convertible debt, which can be converted into equity under agreed conditions. The VIGOR program focuses on preclinical development, experimental validation, and preparation for clinical trials, with support from global contract research organizations.
Drug Candidate Portfolio
The VIGOR program covers four drug candidates across distinct therapeutic areas: PEPR111 targets neuromuscular disorders and oncology, PEPRX101 focuses on alopecia associated with hair loss, PEPR202 addresses neuropathy, and PEPR112 is directed at Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD. All four candidates are currently positioned at Technology Readiness Level 4. The program aims to advance each molecule toward Technology Readiness Level 6 through further development and validation.
Preclinical Development Strategy
Planned activities under the program include advanced preclinical studies, formulation development, investigational new drug enabling studies, and preparation for clinical trials. The development pathway is subject to relevant scientific and regulatory requirements, ensuring that each candidate progresses through structured validation. Peptris will use its proprietary AI-driven drug discovery platform alongside established drug development processes to advance the selected molecules.
Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is opening new possibilities in drug discovery by enabling researchers to identify promising molecules, investigate disease mechanisms, and accelerate the search for potential therapies. However, translating computational discoveries into viable drug candidates requires extensive experimental validation, preclinical studies, and clinical development. Peptris seeks to address this critical transition by combining computational capabilities with scientific validation and established development expertise.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of the Technology Development Board, said that applying artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical research has the potential to transform drug discovery. He emphasized that translating promising discoveries into validated therapeutic candidates requires sustained investment, rigorous scientific evaluation, and a structured development pathway. A representative of Peptris Technologies added that the support will help the company progress its AI-discovered molecules through critical preclinical milestones.
Strategic Importance for India
The initiative aligns with India's broader efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and AI-driven healthcare innovation. By supporting multiple candidates within a coordinated program, the project seeks to direct innovation toward conditions where effective treatment options remain limited. The funding reflects growing institutional support for technology-intensive projects that bridge the gap between AI-led research and clinical development.
Peptris Technologies is positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and drug development through its VIGOR program. The new funding from the Technology Development Board will help the startup advance its AI-discovered molecules through critical preclinical milestones over the next three years. The collaboration underscores the growing role of public institutions in translating computational discoveries into therapeutic candidates for conditions with significant unmet medical needs.