Transforming drug discovery in Southeast Asia via AI

Nanyang Biologics is a finalist of the inaugural Design AI and Tech Awards, which spotlights innovations by startups, enterprises, and corporations in Singapore.

Imagine a world where life-saving treatments are discovered not in decades, but within just a few years. Nanyang Biologics (NYB), a pioneering spinoff from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), is making this vision a reality.

By blending cutting-edge AI with the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia, NYB is redefining the boundaries of pharmaceutical innovation. Its proprietary platform, DTIGN (drug-target interaction graph neural network), is poised to dramatically expedite the development of new treatments and transform how therapeutics are developed, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Founder’s experience

The genesis of NYB was a personal one, sparked by its founder’s experience with the limitations of conventional medicine and the potential of traditional remedies. This personal connection fueled the drive to develop a more efficient and effective approach to drug discovery.

Run by scientists with real-world drug discovery experience, NYB uses advanced AI to enhance clinical success. / Photo credit: The Business Times/NYB

The company launched DTIGN in the fourth quarter of 2024. The platform uses GNNs and advanced molecular modeling to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutics, unlocking nature’s secrets and bringing hope to millions.

This technology has already outperformed second-best methods by 25%, as recognised by IEEE Magazine.

DTIGN’s unique approach integrates signaling pathways, reaction environments, pharmacokinetics and species-specific variations in bioactivity modeling. Unlike typical AI-driven drug discovery, which often focuses on synthetic compounds, DTIGN prioritises nature-derived compounds from organisms in tropical regions, including Southeast Asia.

In addition to revolutionizing pharmaceutical drug discovery, DTIGN’s capabilities extend to other industries. The platform is now being applied in the consumer health and personal care sectors, supporting companies developing functional foods, dietary supplements, skincare products, and wellness solutions that incorporate nature-derived active ingredients.

DTIGN is also supporting innovation in animal health, including the development of solutions for zoonotic diseases. This cross-industry versatility highlights the broad impact of NYB’s technology and its potential to transform multiple sectors reliant on bioactive compounds.

The company’s AI capabilities offer cost-effective solutions, accelerated molecule discovery, and a faster time to market. NYB also leverages a vast collection of billions of natural and synthetic compounds, enhancing its drug discovery process.

DTIGN’s efficiency is underscored by its use of Nvidia H100 GPUs, which have significantly reduced model training (from 80 hours to 10 hours) and docking (from 70 hours to eight hours) runtimes. AI models like AlphaFold, DiffDock, and MolMIM further enhance the platform’s predictive capabilities.

NYB has established strategic partnerships with HPE, Nvidia, and Equinix for AI infrastructure and go-to-market strategies. The company has been accepted to present at Nvidia GTC 2025, an AI conference for developers.

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