Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, and Siddhartha Mukherjee, a prominent cancer researcher and the author of “The Emperor of All Maladies,” have launched an innovative startup focused on AI-driven drug discovery known as Manas AI. The initial emphasis of the company will be on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. So far, Manas AI has secured $24.6 million in seed funding from Hoffman, General Catalyst, and Greylock.
In comparison to other firms in the AI-driven drug development arena, Manas AI’s funding appears modest. For instance, last year, Xaira, a company claiming readiness to commence drug development, launched with a significant $1 billion in initial funding. Similarly, Treeline Biosciences, another firm leveraging AI for drug discovery, raised $422 million the previous year, as reported by Endpts.
Manas AI states that it will harness AI to design molecules, which will subsequently be tested in laboratory settings. During a presentation of his new book “Superagency,” it was noted that Hoffman highlighted this approach. Additionally, Manas AI indicates it will utilise Microsoft’s cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, along with the company’s extensive expertise in AI, to aid in the development of new medicines.
Hoffman maintains strong connections with Microsoft, particularly since the tech giant acquired his former company, LinkedIn, in a landmark deal in 2016.