XtalPi Inc. (2228.HK) today announced a new drug discovery collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS). XtalPi will leverage its AI and automation-driven peptide discovery platform to develop clinical candidate drugs targeting novel clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) targets identified by NCCS. The collaboration aims to deliver improved treatment options for this prevalent kidney cancer and share subsequent commercialization benefits.
AI Peptide Discovery Platform Tackles Kidney Cancer Challenges
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), kidney cancer ranks as the 14th most common cancer globally, with approximately 430,000 new cases annually [1]. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common and lethal urologic cancer, includes ccRCC, which accounts for about 75% of cases [2]. ccRCC is often asymptomatic in early stages with a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of just 10% for advanced or metastatic cases [3]. Due to its high heterogeneity, advanced ccRCC treatments, primarily targeted therapies and immunotherapies, face challenges like low response rates, severe adverse effects, and drug resistance, underscoring the urgent need for novel targets and effective drugs.
Building on NCCS’s extensive research into ccRCC biology, the institution has identified novel therapeutic targets for advanced ccRCC. Through this partnership with XtalPi and Duke-NUS, these targets hold promise for more precise cancer treatments. XtalPi’s advanced peptide discovery platform, combined with Duke-NUS’s leading research and validation capabilities, will drive the discovery of first-in-class peptide drugs for NCCS’s identified targets, advancing subsequent clinical and commercial translation.
Peptide drugs offer advantages such as low immunogenicity, small molecular size, and shorter development cycles. XtalPi will apply its expertise in large-molecule drug development, integrating AI-driven peptide generation algorithms with high-throughput screening methods like one-bead-one-compound (OBOC) and mRNA display to rapidly design and optimize peptide drug candidates with high specificity, safety, and efficacy. This approach aims to expand treatment options for ccRCC, benefiting kidney cancer patients globally.
Industry-Academia Collaboration for Breakthrough Therapies
As a quantum physics, AI, and robotics-powered innovation platform, XtalPi has provided R&D services to over 300 clients in biopharma, renewable energy, and new materials, including 16 of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies. Its advanced AI molecular design capabilities and extensive biologics R&D experience have earned partnerships with institutions like Singapore’s Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC) and MIT, driving clinical translation of cutting-edge research. This collaboration with NCCS and Duke-NUS marks a significant step in XtalPi’s AI peptide R&D, combining foundational research, algorithmic innovation, advanced technology, and clinical expertise to accelerate better treatment solutions.
The National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) is a leading national and regional tertiary cancer center with a team of expert oncologists. Beyond comprehensive multidisciplinary care, its clinicians and scientists collaborate with local and global partners to conduct cutting-edge clinical and translational research.
Duke-NUS Medical School, a global leader in medical education and biomedical research, will evaluate the tumor-suppressing efficacy of novel peptide drugs through laboratory studies, contributing expertise to the project. Using advanced tools like genomics, Duke-NUS scientists will explore the complex biological interactions between peptide drugs and oncogenic targets in tumor cells, developing therapies that target specific molecular processes to eliminate cancer cells more effectively.
Professor Teh Bin Tean, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NCCS, stated: “Kidney cancer incidence is rising in Asia, with high mortality rates in advanced stages and limited effective treatments. Through this collaboration with XtalPi, we aim to leverage cutting-edge AI for drug discovery and conduct advanced research at NCCS. We hope to develop novel kidney cancer therapies to improve patient outcomes.”
Professor Patrick Tan, Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, commented: “Partnering with XtalPi places Duke-NUS at the forefront of revolutionizing cancer treatment with AI and automation. This collaboration enhances our drug discovery process by integrating AI-driven platforms to rapidly screen and develop new therapies. By combining our expertise, we aim to explore new biological pathways, deepen our understanding of tumor biology, and significantly reduce the time needed to bring promising treatments to patients, offering critical opportunities to expand our research and accelerate drug development for better global patient outcomes.”
Dr. Lai Lipeng, Chief Innovation Officer of XtalPi, said: “We are honored to earn the trust of NCCS and Duke-NUS experts. XtalPi’s advanced AI peptide algorithms, combined with the rich foundational and clinical research from NCCS and Duke-NUS, hold immense potential for developing innovative drugs for novel ccRCC targets. We look forward to delivering safer, more effective treatment options for drug-resistant and advanced kidney cancer patients, bringing new hope to patients worldwide.”
Digital Twins for Biological Systems and Multi-Domain Peptide Innovation
XtalPi’s Innovation Center, a hub for cutting-edge technology development and collaboration, focuses on open partnerships to drive win-win innovation. Its V3 (Virtual in Vitro and in Vivo) platform builds “digital twins” of biological systems through AI and big data, integrating AI algorithms with experimental platforms like peptide and protein design and multimodal large models for cellular phenotypes.
XtalPi’s peptide R&D platform offers end-to-end capabilities, from AI-driven generation to automated synthesis and high-throughput optimization, covering linear peptides, cyclic peptides, bicyclic peptides, and non-natural amino acids. Supported by a seasoned team with academic and pharmaceutical expertise, the platform has driven early-stage drug development, peptide-based health products, and novel cosmetic peptide ingredients, with multiple projects reaching key milestones or entering regulatory stages. Its AI peptide generation, OBOC combinatorial library screening, and mRNA display peptide screening technologies have earned high recognition from domestic and international clients, establishing a robust, integrated peptide R&D platform that continuously drives innovation and commercialization in the peptide field.
References:
[1] World Health Organization. (2022). Global Cancer Observatory: Kidney [Fact sheet]. https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/29-kidney-fact-sheet.pdf
[2] Znaor et al. (2015). International Variations and Trends in Renal Cell Carcinoma Incidence and Mortality. European Urology, 67(3), 519–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EURURO.2014.10.002
[3] National Cancer Institute. (2020, March). Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. https://www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-kidney-tumors/clear-cell-renal-cell-carcinoma
