#Israel #AI Solutions #Tel Aviv #Precision Medicine #Promise Bio

Promise Bio's Groundbreaking Journey in Precision Medicine

Introduction

Promise Bio, a trailblazing startup in the realm of precision medicine, has officially come out of stealth mode following a successful seed investment of $8.3 million. Founded with the ambition to revolutionize the treatment landscape for immune-mediated diseases, the company has developed a comprehensive computational platform that fuses epiproteomics and artificial intelligence (AI) to predict patient treatment outcomes.

The Challenge in Autoimmune Treatments

According to Ronel Veksler, Co-founder and CEO of Promise Bio, existing biological therapies for autoimmune diseases fail to benefit a significant portion of patients, with only 30-40% achieving substantial remission. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for innovative, data-driven solutions. Veksler emphasizes, “Our mission is to eliminate the trial-and-error approach and replace it with tools that facilitate informed, data-centric decisions.” The transformation lies in understanding not only the levels of proteins—fundamental molecules in our bodies—but also the modifications they endure post-formation.

The PROMISE Platform

At the core of Promise Bio's strategy is the PROMISE platform (Protein Modification Integrated Search Engine), which aims to dissect the intricate changes in proteins that are tied to immune diseases. This innovative system was built upon years of essential research by Dr. Assaf Kacen, Co-founder and CTO, in collaboration with Professor Yifat Merbl at the renowned Weizmann Institute of Science. Their groundbreaking work, which was recognized in a 2023 publication in Nature Biotechnology, laid the groundwork for the platform. Dr. Kacen explains, “Our platform optimally utilizes mass-spectrometry data to profile various post-translational modifications without the hurdles of custom chemical enrichment.”

Advancements in Understanding Protein Functions

Recognizing the complexities of immune responses is key to improving precision medicine. Dr. Kacen likens traditional methods to “watching a black-and-white TV with poor resolution,” whereas their technology offers a vivid, high-resolution image of protein modifications that could influence disease progression and treatment response. By decoding these modifications through advanced machine learning techniques, Promise Bio can provide invaluable insights into the health status of patients and how best to approach their treatment.

Funding and Strategic Partnerships

The $8.3 million seed investment was primarily led by Awz Ventures, supplemented by funding from AION Labs, backed by pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Pfizer. This financial boost equips Promise Bio with the necessary resources to enhance its technological platform and extend research capabilities. Furthermore, the strategic collaborations with these pharmaceutical leaders confer substantial advantages, including industry insights, global networking opportunities, and launch pads for integrating Promise Bio's innovations into the drug development landscape.

Looking Ahead

Mati Gill, CEO of AION Labs, expresses confidence in Promise Bio’s capabilities, stating that the integration of epiproteomics and AI is poised to revolutionize treatment methodologies for immune-mediated diseases. Yaron Ashkenazi, Founder and Managing Partner of Awz, echoes this optimism, recognizing the firm's transformative ambitions and potential impact on patient care.

Conclusion

With the dedication of its visionary leadership and the infusion of substantial capital, Promise Bio stands on the cusp of major advancements in personalized medicine for autoimmune disorders. As it builds an extensive post-translational modification database, the company is well-equipped to pioneer future medical breakthroughs and positively influence treatment paradigms, further underscoring the importance of precision medicine in today's healthcare landscape.

For further information, visit Promise Bio.