The partnership integrates Rayca’s physics-aware AI drug discovery engine with ASAKE’s translational capabilities in biosynthetic technology, synthetic chemistry, and emerging modalities, with the goal of rapidly progressing multi-modal assets (linear and macrocyclic peptides as well as small molecules) into preclinical development and future partnering, the companies state.

Together, we aim to advance high-quality, partner-ready programs that address significant unmet clinical needs.

“AI-assisted molecule design and screening, grounded in rigorous experimental validation, can improve the quality and partner-readiness of preclinical assets,” says Pouya Behrouzi, Chief Executive Officer of Rayca Precision. “Our collaboration with ASAKE has already produced promising early data in metabolic disease models. Together, we aim to advance high-quality, partner-ready programs that address significant unmet clinical needs.” 

An initial validation step in a broader roadmap

Over recent months, the two companies have generated preliminary laboratory data in independent cell-based assays indicating that AI-designed peptides can influence receptor-mediated signaling pathways. These data are currently undergoing repetition and independent confirmation to ensure robustness and reproducibility. Both partners emphasize that these early findings represent an initial validation step in a broader roadmap toward preclinical milestones and future partnering opportunities.

This partnership aligns with our mission to translate biosynthetic and chemical innovations into real-world therapeutic solutions.

“The early signals are promising, but we are proceeding carefully and methodically,” says Dr. Shiyong Wu, President of ASAKE Biotechnology. “By focusing on metabolic diseases, this partnership aligns with our mission to translate biosynthetic and chemical innovations into real-world therapeutic solutions, while maintaining strong attention to reproducibility and intellectual property protection.” 

Designed for industry-grade execution and eventual collaboration with biopharma partners

The companies’ joint strategy is designed for industry-grade execution and eventual collaboration with biopharma partners. Rayca and ASAKE are aligning on a sequence of preclinical value inflection points, hit expansion and triage, orthogonal validation, developability screening, and IND-enabling readiness, so that programs can be positioned for structured out-licensing as they mature. 

Rayca Precision and ASAKE intend to expand their collaboration into additional disease areas and molecular targets over time, leveraging their complementary capabilities in AI modeling, compound synthesis, and biological evaluation.