Expediting drug discovery with AI: In Virtuo Labs wins Boldbrain Startup Challenge

The 2024 Boldbrain Startup Challenge is the acceleration program for innovative ideas organized by Fondazione Agire in collaboration with USI Startup Centre and supported by the Department of Finance and Economy (DFE) and BancaStato. The program celebrated its seventh edition award ceremony yesterday at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano, with 500 attendees, including notable figures and political representatives. Another hundred people followed the event via live-stream.

A total of CHF 110,000 in prizes was bestowed onto the winners, in addition to in-kind services and consultation to help further develop their projects. The first-place winner of the CHF 40,000 prize is In Virtuo Laboratories Sagl, the startup developing a platform that combines artificial intelligence and molecular simulations to accelerate drug discovery. The platform can explore up to 1 billion compounds per day, validated through advanced simulations, with a success rate that can reach 100%. The startup is currently advancing its platform in partnership with a pharma company. The primary focus currently is identifying molecules for the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and metabolic diseases.

The second-place prize of CHF 30,000 and Audience award of CHF 10'000 went to SynthEnergy. Founded by researchers at Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, SysthEnergy developed a process to convert alcohol into sustainable synthetic fuels compatible with existing infrastructure, requiring no modifications to engines, refineries, or fuel stations. The SynthEnergy Road synthetic gasoline has been proven identical to standard Unleaded 95 fuel. Funded through grants, the founding team is currently finalising the incorporation process and the construction of its facility to expand production capacity. The third runner-up is GraphSight SA, which uses artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms to provide real-time, accurate energy forecasts, enhancing market efficiency and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources into power grids.

The top three winners will have the opportunity to participate in the selection for the Swiss Economic Award and MassChallenge Switzerland, which aim to support the growth of advanced startups. Additionally, each of these three will receive coaching packages offered by Connect Switzerland. All finalists will also benefit from a voucher for a patent search provided by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, as well as a one-year Premium membership to the Swiss Startup Association.

The fourth prize was awarded to Deutelio AG, with its revolutionary Polomac model designed to transforms nuclear fusion into a scalable and accessible technology for industry, providing clean, unlimited, and sustainable energy ready for everyday integration. FarmAid won the fifth place and Hemargroup Award to further develop their prototype. The company is developing a modular IoT device that protects crops by deploying protective nets or customized covers in seconds. It can be controlled via an app or operate autonomously using data from weather stations and field sensors. Both startups received a cheque of CHF 10,000.

Additionally, Fondazione Agire will provide the finalists FarmAid, ReSportApp, and SynthEnergy with a year-long desk space at the co-working area of Tecnopolo Ticino.

(Press release/RAN)