Hyderabad-based startup to begin human clinical trials for India’s first AI-driven antibiotic

Hyderabad-based SCIINV Biosciences has identified a new AI-driven repurposed antibiotic now entering human clinical trials. The breakthrough, backed by Whale Tank Biocatalyst, reduces development time and offers hope in combating antimicrobial resistance amid a stagnating global antibiotic pipeline.

Hyderabad: For the first time in the country, a Hyderabad-based biosciences company has successfully identified a new antibiotic candidate using its proprietary AI platform, which is now all set for human clinical trials.

The unique breakthrough was achieved by SCIINV Biosciences, whose proprietary AI has identified a medical compound, which was previously utilised to treat other ailments, which has the potential to become a life-saving antibiotic.

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Thanks to the drug repurposing strategy, the Hyderabad-based biosciences firm is able to find new uses for existing medical compounds and, in the process, cut down the time taken, usually a decade, to identify and launch a tested antibiotic.

“By leveraging AI and drug repurposing, we are able to compress discovery timelines and improve translational efficiency. Advancing into human trials demonstrates both scientific rigour and clinical readiness,” Dr Uday Saxena, Co-Chairman (R&D), SCIINV Biosciences, in a statement here on Tuesday said.

The AI-driven drug repurposing route could turn out to be a vital strategy to rejuvenate the global antibiotic pipeline, which has remained alarmingly stagnant as superbugs (bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics) continue to evolve.

Dr Ranga Reddy Burri, a globally recognised authority on public health from Hyderabad and president of Infection Control Academy of India (IFCAI), said that such developments are vital because the antibiotic pipeline globally is critically inadequate.

“As an AMR stakeholder, I was especially heartened to learn about India’s first-ever AI-based discovery of a repurposed antibiotic candidate now entering human clinical trials. This groundbreaking milestone in revitalising the antibiotic pipeline is a powerful shot in the arm for our ongoing efforts to contain antimicrobial resistance,” Dr Ranga Reddy Burri said.

To further strengthen efforts to launch the AI-driven antibiotic candidate, SCIINV on Tuesday also entered into a multi-crore strategic partnership with Whale Tank Biocatalyst, providing the financial and developmental backing necessary to navigate the complex human trial phase.

Dr Markendeya Gorantla, Founder and Managing Partner at Whale Tank Biocatalyst, stated that the project exemplifies the convergence of technology and public health envisioned in the State’s roadmap.