Pioneering the Future of Drug Discovery: Insights from XtalPi’s International Symposium

The national and international research scene witnessed a significant event as XtalPi, a frontrunner in artificial intelligence and robotics in drug discovery, concluded its highly anticipated 2026 International Symposium on Molecular Glue Drug Discovery. This gathering, held in the vibrant city of Shanghai, attracted a diverse audience consisting of leading scientists, innovators in the biopharmaceutical realm, entrepreneurs, and investors eager to explore how innovative technologies are reshaping the strategies for addressing historically challenging protein targets in drug development.

Traditionally, the discovery of molecular glue therapeutics has often been a matter of chance. However, in his enlightening opening speech, XtalPi's Co-founder and CEO, Dr. Jian Ma, urged attendees to pursue a critical shift in methodology. He emphasized the urgent need to transition from serendipitous discoveries to a more structured, technology-enhanced approach—one that relies on AI, robotics, and a collaborative global ecosystem.

Central to this shift was the introduction of XtalPi's proprietary platform, XGlue™, presented by Vice President Dr. Yang Xie. This pioneering platform employs physics-based AI modeling to delve into complex protein–protein interactions, coupled with an autonomous synthesis workflow facilitated by agentic AI. The innovative closed-loop system allows for rapid design, testing, and iteration, thereby expanding the potential therapeutic targets for molecular glue treatments. This positions XtalPi as a leader in the future landscape of protein degradation therapies.

The symposium also featured a series of illuminating scientific presentations that charted the trajectory of molecular glue discovery. Prominent figures such as Prof. Nathanael S. Gray from Stanford University and Prof. Bruno Correia from EPFL discussed advanced methodologies, including chemically induced proximity and computational design, to probe functional interactions that conventional drug development methods might overlook. Furthermore, scholars such as Prof. Ke Ding and Dr. Yong Cang showcased their findings on rationally designed molecular glues aimed at addressing critical diseases, thus underscoring the medical community's growing reliance on innovative solutions.

In a bid to enhance investments and explore commercialization avenues, Mr. Peter Zhang from YAFO Capital outlined comprehensive strategies for scaling molecular glue therapies to reach broader markets. The symposium culminated in a dynamic cross-sector roundtable discussion, overseen by Dr. Yang Xie, which gathered leaders from various organizations, including Sanofi and GluBio, with a focus on cultivating a sustainable innovation ecosystem for protein degradation therapies. This dialogue came to a consensus on the necessity of promoting deeper integration among scientific research, industry advancements, and investment strategies to propel progress in the sector.

As the field of molecular glue therapeutics rises in prominence, the integration of predictive AI and high-throughput automation is driving a critical paradigm shift toward data-driven drug discovery, transforming previously insurmountable biological targets into viable treatment opportunities. This symposium not only highlighted XtalPi's role at the forefront of this transformation but also painted a vivid picture of an exciting future for drug discovery where collaboration, technology, and intelligent solutions play pivotal roles.

About XtalPi

Founded in 2015 by three MIT physicists, XtalPi Holdings Limited (Ticker: 2228.HK) operates as a revolutionary research and development platform. Utilizing principles of quantum physics, AI, and robotics, XtalPi melds first-principles calculations with robust AI algorithms and cloud computing technologies, offering intelligent R&D solutions across various industries, including pharmaceuticals.