TDB under RDI Fund commits ₹86 crore to Peptris' VIGOR programme for AI-driven drug development

Key facts

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka for financial support of ₹86 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
• The project, titled VIGOR: Advancing AI-Discovered Molecules from Bench to Clinic, has a total project cost of ₹172 crore, with support provided through Optionally Convertible Debt (OCD).
• The programme aims to advance four drug candidates—PEPR111 (neuromuscular disorders and oncology), PEPRX101 (alopecia), PEPR202 (neuropathy) and PEPR112 (DMD)—from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 to TRL-6.
• The three-year development programme includes advanced preclinical and investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies, formulation development, and clinical trial preparation and initiation activities.
• Rajesh Kumar Pathak is the Secretary of TDB.