Singapore biotech firm Nanyang Biologics has forged strategic partnerships with technology giants Equinix, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Nvidia to develop an advanced AI-powered drug discovery platform that promises to revolutionize pharmaceutical research timelines. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed on August 26 at an AI summit at Fullerton Hotel, aims to complete development of the Vecura platform by 2026.
Revolutionary Speed in Drug Candidate Identification
When fully developed, Vecura will enable pharmaceutical companies to identify potential drug candidates in as little as six minutes, a dramatic acceleration from traditional drug discovery methods. According to Dr. Roland Ong, chairman of Nanyang Biologics, conventional drug discovery requires researchers to screen millions of molecules to identify those that act on the correct biological targets while eliminating unsafe, unstable, or ineffective compounds—a process that typically takes considerable time.
The platform leverages artificial intelligence's ability to rapidly analyze vast amounts of biological and chemical data, predicting which molecules are most likely to function as safe and effective drugs. This approach addresses one of the pharmaceutical industry's most significant bottlenecks in bringing new treatments to market.
Building on Proven Technology
Vecura represents an evolution of Nanyang Biologics' earlier Drug-Target Interaction Graph Neural Network (DTIGN) platform, which was launched at the end of 2024 when the company spun off from Nanyang Technological University. DTIGN employs graph neural networks, a specialized type of machine learning model, to predict drug-target interactions with specific biological targets such as proteins.
The platform's effectiveness has already been demonstrated in real-world applications. Running on a single AI server, DTIGN successfully identified 15 potential drug candidates within six months for an undisclosed Japanese pharmaceutical firm. The system draws from an extensive library of compounds identified from more than 50,000 organisms, including medicinal plants and fungi, representing an largely untapped resource for potential drug candidates.
Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure and Market Potential
The technology partnership will provide Vecura with enterprise-grade infrastructure essential for large-scale pharmaceutical applications. This includes systems capable of supporting high-volume molecular screening at unprecedented speeds, secure platforms to protect sensitive scientific data, and global connectivity infrastructure enabling worldwide collaboration with research organizations.
The timing of this development aligns with significant market growth projections. Research studies indicate the global drug discovery platform market was valued at approximately $186 million in 2024 and is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate exceeding 13 percent, reaching an estimated $635 million by 2034.
Commercial Strategy and Intellectual Property
Nanyang Biologics plans to monetize Vecura by licensing access to other pharmaceutical companies, with Dr. Ong confirming that the company retains intellectual property ownership of the platform while sharing revenue with technology collaborators. This business model positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-enabled drug discovery solutions while maintaining control over its core technology.
The company's focus extends beyond platform development to therapeutic applications, with Nanyang Biologics developing treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases using natural drug compounds.
Strategic Significance for Singapore
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment Goh Hanyan, who served as guest of honor at the announcement event, emphasized the initiative's importance to Singapore's healthcare and biomedical ambitions. "It's crucial that we continue to find ways to collaborate and accelerate healthcare innovation at scale," she stated.
Hanyan highlighted the strategic value of international and cross-industry collaboration, noting that "Singapore can bring in valuable expertise and leverage global discoveries, while capturing value with skills development and creation of intellectual property. This will then ensure our long term competitiveness and position Singapore as a hub for AI enabled drug discovery."
