Monday, 28 April 2025
27.9 C
Singapore
27.4 C
Thailand
19.7 C
Indonesia
27.6 C
Philippines

Reid Hoffman and Siddhartha Mukherjee launch AI drug discovery startup with US$24.6M funding

Reid Hoffman and Siddhartha Mukherjee launch Manas AI, an AI drug discovery startup, raising $24.6M to target cancers with Microsoft's cloud tech.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has teamed up with Siddhartha Mukherjee, renowned cancer researcher and author of The Emperor of All Maladies, to establish a groundbreaking startup, Manas AI. This innovative company focuses on using artificial intelligence to accelerate drug discovery, particularly targeting breast, prostate, and lymphoma cancers.

The startup has secured US$24.6 million in seed funding, with backing from Hoffman himself and venture capital firms General Catalyst and Greylock. While this is a substantial investment, it is significantly smaller than the colossal funding other companies raised in the AI drug discovery space.

Competing with larger players in AI drug discovery

Manas AI’s US$24.6 million seed round starkly contrasts its competitors’ financial muscle. For instance, Xaira launched with an astounding $1 billion in initial funding last year, claiming to be ready to begin drug development. Similarly, Treeline Biosciences, another AI-driven drug discovery company, raised $422 million in 2023, as reported by Endpoints News.

Despite the smaller funding round, Manas AI’s approach sets it apart. The company aims to design molecules using advanced AI models and validate their potential in a wet lab environment. By combining AI capabilities with traditional lab testing, Manas AI hopes to streamline the drug discovery process and make it more efficient.

Leveraging Microsoft’s cloud technology and expertise

Manas AI will rely heavily on Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure, to power its research. The partnership also involves utilising Microsoft’s expertise in artificial intelligence to develop new medicines. Hoffman, who has strong ties to Microsoft—stemming from its acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016—emphasised the role of technology in transforming drug discovery during a recent presentation of his book Superagency.

By integrating AI and cloud technology, Manas AI seeks to carve a niche in a rapidly evolving competitive industry. Hoffman and Mukherjee’s collaboration brings together expertise in technology, research, and healthcare, setting the stage for potentially groundbreaking advancements in treating cancer.

While Manas AI’s funding may be modest compared to its competitors, its unique approach and strategic partnerships position it as a promising player in the AI-driven drug discovery sector.

Hot this week

Chinese tech companies race to expand AI services using new open-standard protocol

Chinese tech firms race to adopt MCP, boosting AI agent use and shaping the future of smart services in payment, maps, and cloud tools.

Tenable uncovers critical privilege escalation flaw in Google Cloud Composer

Tenable exposes a GCP vulnerability in Cloud Composer that allows privilege escalation through interdependent cloud services.

Netflix raises subscription prices in Singapore again

Netflix again raises subscription prices in Singapore, with new rates for all plans and extra member slots.

Meta’s Oversight Board asks for clarity on new hate speech rules

Meta’s Oversight Board is urging more transparency on hate speech policy changes and urging the company to protect vulnerable users.

Intel prepares for major layoffs ahead of Q1 earnings

Intel plans to cut over 21,000 jobs this week, aiming to rebuild its focus and engineering culture under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

Gitex Asia x Ai Everything Singapore highlights robotics, AI and next-gen tech at inaugural event

Gitex Asia x Ai Everything Singapore highlights robotics, AI, startups, and tech innovations, shaping Southeast Asia’s digital future.

Lenovo introduces new ThinkPad mobile workstations and business laptops for the AI-ready workforce

Lenovo refreshes its ThinkPad lineup with new AI-ready mobile workstations and business laptops, enhancing mobility, performance, and security.

SquareX secures US$20 million to transform browser security

SquareX raises US$20 million to strengthen browser security, offering enterprises an easy way to protect users without disrupting their workflows.

Smart Communications acquires Joisto to strengthen cloud archival capabilities

Smart Communications acquires Joisto to expand cloud-based customer conversation and archival solutions, strengthening its leadership in CCM and IXM.

Related Articles

Popular Categories