XtalPi (HKEX: 2228.HK) has initiated a tripartite collaboration with Singapore’s National Cancer Centre (NCCS) and Duke-NUS Medical School to develop first-in-class peptide therapeutics for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Leveraging its AI-automation integrated peptide discovery platform, XtalPi will target novel biomarkers identified by NCCS to address critical unmet needs:
• Late-stage treatment resistance
• Survival crisis: 10% five-year survival rate for metastatic ccRCC
• Therapeutic innovation gap
XtalPi’s platform combines:
- AI Generative Design: Proprietary algorithms for de novo peptide generation, Multi-parameter optimization (specificity/safety/pK properties)
- High-Throughput Validation: One-Bead-One-Compound (OBOC) libraries, mRNA display screening, Automated synthesis robotics, Clinical Urgency
With 430,000 new kidney cancer cases annually (WHO 2022) and ccRCC constituting 75% of RCC malignancies, this collaboration addresses Asia’s rising disease burden through:
- Target validation: NCCS’ biomarker discovery expertise
- Mechanistic insights: Duke-NUS’ genomic profiling capabilities
- Accelerated translation: XTALPI’s V3 Digital Twin platform bridging in silico-in vivo gaps
- Leadership Perspectives
Prof. Teh Bin Tean, Deputy CEO of NCCS
“Asia’s ccRCC mortality crisis demands AI-powered solutions. This partnership converges Singapore’s clinical excellence with XTALPI’s industrial-scale drug discovery capabilities.”
Prof. Patrick Tan, Senior Vice Dean of Duke-NUS
“Integrating AI peptide design with our tumor biology models creates a paradigm shift – cutting therapeutic development timelines compared to conventional approaches.”
Dr. Lipeng Lai, Chief Innovation Officer of XTALPI
“Our platform has successfully generated multiple peptide candidates. With NCCS/Duke-NUS’ target insights, we’re together positioned to deliver novel therapies addressing ccRCC”
National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)
Singapore’s leading national and regional tertiary cancer center, with a team of cancer treatment experts. In addition to providing comprehensive multidisciplinary oncology care, its clinicians and scientists also collaborate with local and international partners to conduct robust and cutting – edge clinical and translational research.
Duke-NUS Medical School
As a global leader in medical education and biomedical research, the Duke – NUS Medical School (Duke – NUS) will contribute its expertise to the project by evaluating the effectiveness of new peptide drugs in inhibiting tumor growth through laboratory research. Using cutting – edge technologies including genomic tools, Duke – NUS scientists will gain in – depth insights into the complex biological interactions between new peptide drugs and oncogenic targets in tumor cells, thus developing innovative therapies that target specific molecular processes and kill more cancer cells..