A Dose of Disruption : The Dynamic Duo Behind Immunito AI

Some startups are born out of necessity, but Immunito AI was born out of sheer brilliance. The company was co-founded by two visionary women, Dr. Aridni Shah and Trisha Chatterjee, who combined their expertise in biology and computer science to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the biotech industry: the slow and often inefficient process of antibody discovery.

Dr. Aridni Shah: The Biotech Visionary 

Dr. Aridni Shah, co-founder and CEO of Immunito AI, is a powerhouse with a PhD in Biological Sciences from the prestigious National Centre of Biological Sciences, TIFR. With over a decade of experience in immunoassays, molecular techniques, and data analytics, she brings an invaluable depth of biotechnological expertise to the table. (Dr. Aridni Shah)

Trisha Chatterjee: The AI Architect 

Trisha Chatterjee, the co-founder and CTO, holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Delhi University. With ten years of R&D experience in applying AI and machine learning across various industries, including advertising and logistics, Trisha’s transition to biotechnology was fueled by her desire to make a significant impact in healthcare. (Trisha Chatterjee)

The Genesis of Immunito AI 

The founding story of Immunito AI is one of innovation at the intersection of biology and technology. Driven by the shared goal of making antibody therapies faster and more precise, Aridni and Trisha founded Immunito AI in 2020. They were motivated by the challenges they saw in the traditional drug discovery methods, which were slow and often unsuccessful at the final stages of development. They envisioned a platform that could design antibodies from scratch, tailored to specific diseases without the limitations of existing biological methods​.

Riding the Wave of Innovation: The Antibody Therapy Market

The  antibody therapy market is revolutionizing modern medicine, turning what used to be the stuff of science fiction into reality. Synthetic antibodies, designed and produced through sophisticated biotechnological processes, are emerging as front-runners in the therapeutic landscape, especially for combating complex diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Market Growth and Projections 

The antibody therapy market has witnessed substantial growth with a valuation of $214.7 billion in 2022, with projections indicating a climb to approximately $638.2 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2023 ​(Global Market Insights Inc.).

Innovations Leading the Charge 

The synthesis of antibodies involves cutting-edge techniques that allow for the precise targeting of disease mechanisms without the off-target effects common with traditional therapies. Innovations such as gene editing, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, have revolutionized how synthetic antibodies are developed, enabling more specific and effective treatments. (Markets and Markets)

Challenges and Opportunities 

Despite the promise, the sector faces challenges, notably the high costs associated with developing these advanced therapies. The complexity of the technology and the need for substantial investment in R&D and clinical trials contribute to these costs. However, these challenges present opportunities for growth in the development of more cost-effective production techniques and regulatory strategies that could accelerate the approval and availability of synthetic antibodies.

Transforming Medicine with AI: The Immunito AI Vision

Mission and Vision 

Immunito AI’s mission is to accelerate and refine the process of antibody therapy using artificial intelligence. They envision a future where these therapies are mainstream, accessible, and tailored to individual patient needs. Their ambitious vision stretches towards a world where their technology can define a new standard for rapid, precise medical treatment​.

Solving Big Problems 

One of the biggest hurdles in biotechnology today is the time and cost associated with discovering new drugs. Immunito AI tackles this by using AI to predict and design antibodies that can be rapidly tested and deployed. Their approach significantly cuts down the development timeline and boosts the success rates of effective therapeutics​.

Business Model 

At its core, Immunito AI operates on a platform-based business model. They provide a suite of AI tools and services—immDESIGN and imRANK—for pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. These tools are designed to generate and evaluate novel antibody candidates quickly and efficiently. By doing so, Immunito AI not only serves the healthcare industry but also opens up revenue streams through partnerships and collaborations with drug developers and researchers​. Their innovative methods allow them to explore vast libraries of potential antibodies beyond what traditional methods could achieve, enabling a more expansive and inventive exploration of solutions for hard-to-treat diseases.

AI in Action: Immunito’s Tools Tackling Tomorrow’s Treatments

Immunito AI’s suite of products and services represents a leap forward in the way we approach drug discovery. By harnessing the power of AI, they are making it faster, more efficient, and ultimately more successful. With a keen focus on transforming antibody therapy through artificial intelligence, this TechBio pioneer is setting new standards in medical treatments. (Technology)

imDESIGN: The Brain Behind the Antibody 

At the heart of Immunito AI’s offerings is imDESIGN. This platform is the powerhouse where novel antibodies are born. imDESIGN uses advanced AI algorithms to create antibodies from scratch. Unlike traditional methods that rely on biological sources, imDESIGN can design antibodies that are optimized for specific targets right from the start. This de novo design process expands the possibilities beyond what nature alone can offer, paving the way for more effective treatments​.

imRANK: Screening for Success 

Once antibodies are designed, they need to be tested and validated. This is where imRANK comes in. This screening system ranks the antibodies generated by imDESIGN based on their drug-like properties and specificity. It assesses both structural and sequential properties to ensure that only the most promising candidates move forward. By integrating these two platforms, Immunito AI can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with drug development​.

In-House Biological Validation: Closing the Loop 

Immunito AI doesn’t stop at AI predictions; they take it all the way to the lab. Their in-house biological validation process is where AI meets reality. Here, the AI-generated antibodies undergo rigorous testing to confirm their binding and specificity. This feedback loop allows the AI system to continuously improve, making future predictions even more accurate​.

Operations and Services: Beyond the Basics 

Beyond their core platforms, Immunito AI offers a range of services to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions. They collaborate closely with industry partners to customize their solutions, ensuring that each antibody they help create is tailored to specific therapeutic needs.

Code and Cells: Decoding Disease with Data

At the core of Immunito AI’s process is their “Design over Discovery” philosophy. This means that instead of relying on traditional methods, which often involve trial-and-error screening of vast antibody libraries, Immunito AI designs antibodies from scratch. Their AI platform, imDESIGN, is the starting point. It uses advanced neural networks to create novel antibodies with specific, predefined drug-like properties. 

What sets Immunito AI apart is their Structure-First approach. They believe that understanding the three-dimensional structure of antibody-antigen interactions is crucial for developing effective therapeutics. Their AI models are trained to recognize and predict these structures, allowing them to design antibodies that precisely target specific disease antigens.

imRANK screens and ranks the designed antibodies based on a range of drug-like properties, including stability and efficacy. Only the most promising candidates move forward to the lab for biological validation. The most promising antibodies are then tested in Immunito AI’s in-house biological lab. Here, the antibodies undergo rigorous testing for binding effectiveness and specificity. 

This entire process forms a continuous learning loop, where each cycle of design, ranking, and testing improves the subsequent iterations. Data from lab results feeds back into the AI models, fine-tuning them to better understand and predict complex biological interactions.

Winning Big: Immunito AI’s Impact and Industry Influence

Their AI-first approach is setting new standards in the biotech field, with potential to notably reducing the time required for therapeutic antibody discovery by a remarkable 60% and slashing costs by half. (Pi Ventures)

Immunito AI’s innovative work has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, they clinched the AI Open Innovation Award in Healthcare, for their groundbreaking work in utilizing AI for healthcare solutions. The award, sponsored by Intel, celebrates significant advancements in AI that promise to reshape healthcare.

Additionally, Immunito AI stood out at the NASSCOM AI Gamechangers Awards for 2023-2024, where they were lauded for their pioneering efforts in the healthcare and pharma category. The startup’s growth has been bolstered by its selection for prestigious accelerators and programs that have further validated its potential. Immunito AI was also chosen for the Google for Startups Accelerator in 2023, where they were one of only 20 AI-first startups selected from over 720 applications. (Awards)

The company has also been active on the global stage, participating in various international conferences and summits that have allowed them to share their insights and forge valuable connections within the industry. Events like the Gen AI Roadshow and the Matrix Global Summit have provided platforms for Immunito AI to discuss the role of AI in biotech and explore future technological trends with other industry leaders​.

Big Wins, Big Money: Immunito AI’s Funding Journey

Immunito AI has been on an impressive financial journey since its inception, securing significant funding for its revolutionary work in AI-driven antibody discovery. Their strategic financial maneuvers have positioned them as a rising star in the biotech world. (Pitchbook)

Seed Funding: A Solid Start 

Immunito AI’s financial journey began on March 5, 2021, when the company secured $1 million in seed funding. This crucial round was led by pi Ventures, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage tech companies. The round also saw participation from Entrepreneur First, WGG International, Beeline Impex, and the JJ Family Office. Additionally, angel investors like Kiran Kadekoppa and Gaurav Kumar contributed, believing in the company’s potential to revolutionize the biotech space​. (Entrepreneur First) 

Revenue Growth: Steady Climb 

Immunito AI has shown promising growth in revenue as well. In the fiscal year 2020-21, the company reported a revenue of ₹2.2 lakhs. This figure grew to ₹6.8 lakhs in the fiscal year 2022-23, reflecting a steady increase in the adoption of their AI-powered solutions​. This revenue growth, although modest, is a strong indicator of the company’s expanding footprint in the biotech industry and its potential for scalability. (Tracxn)

A Vision Realized: Immunito AI’s Path Forward

Immunito AI is reimagining how antibody therapies are discovered, designed, and brought to market. By leveraging advanced AI technologies, Immunito AI is setting new standards in the biotech industry, making drug discovery faster, more efficient, and more accessible.

Financially, Immunito AI is on a solid path. With $1 million in seed funding and a steady increase in revenue, the company has the resources and momentum needed to scale its operations. This growth is supported by a strong network of investors who believe in Immunito AI’s vision and its potential to revolutionize the biotech industry​.

If you have an idea that could disrupt an industry or solve a critical problem, don’t wait. Start working on it now. The world needs more innovators like you, ready to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. 

For more inspiration and insights on startups and venture funding, check out our other articles on Venture Kites. Keep pushing forward, and who knows? You might be the next success story we feature.