Persist AI: Revolutionizing Drug Development with Cloud Lab and $12 Million Funding

May 20, 2025, 9:34 pm
SignalFire
SignalFire
DataPlatformHealthTechSoftwareFinTechProductTechnologyITServiceSecurity
Location: United States, California, San Francisco
Employees: 11-50
Founded date: 2012
Y Combinator
Y Combinator
FinTechPlatformDataITSoftwareServiceProductHealthTechAppTechnology
Location: United States, California, Mountain View
Employees: 51-200
Founded date: 2005
MBX Capital
MBX Capital
HealthTechPlatformTechnologyCareMedTechPhysicalProductSmokingLearnIT
Location: United States, New York
Employees: 1-10
In the fast-paced world of pharmaceuticals, time is money. The race to bring new drugs to market is relentless. Enter Persist AI, a trailblazer in AI-driven robotics for pharmaceutical formulation development. Recently, the company announced the launch of its innovative Cloud Lab platform, backed by a hefty $12 million in Series A funding. This funding round was led by Spero Ventures, with participation from a host of notable investors, including Eli Lilly and Y Combinator.

Persist AI is not just another tech startup; it’s a game changer. The Cloud Lab platform allows pharmaceutical companies to harness the power of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to streamline drug formulation processes. Traditional methods can take years, but Persist AI promises to cut that timeline down to mere months. It’s like switching from a horse-drawn carriage to a high-speed train.

The Cloud Lab is a digital gateway to a robotic laboratory. Pharmaceutical scientists can now develop formulations remotely, controlling sophisticated robotic systems through a user-friendly website. This innovation not only accelerates drug development but also conserves precious materials. In an industry where every milligram counts, this is a significant advantage.

The technology behind Persist AI is nothing short of revolutionary. Using sophisticated AI models, the platform predicts optimal formulation recipes and performance. In a recent collaboration with a major pharmaceutical client, Persist AI identified an ideal long-acting injectable formulation in just two months. This process typically drags on for a year or more. By rapidly building and testing 700 formulations in that short span, Persist AI is reshaping the landscape of drug development.

Imagine the old way: a lab technician painstakingly testing 10 to 15 formulations a month. Now, picture the future with Persist AI, where 700 formulations can be tested in the same timeframe. It’s like moving from a slow crawl to a sprint. This speed is crucial in an industry where time can mean the difference between life and death.

Persist AI’s Cloud Lab employs miniaturized systems that drastically reduce the volume of materials needed for testing. Traditional dissolution testing apparatuses require 1000 mL of liquid and several grams of formulation. In contrast, Persist’s systems achieve results with just 1 mL of liquid and a few milligrams of material. This not only conserves valuable drugs but also enables higher throughput testing. It’s a win-win situation.

The platform supports a wide array of formulations, including long-acting injectables, tablets, capsules, and topical applications. It caters to various modalities, such as peptides, small molecules, antibodies, and antisense oligonucleotides. Currently, Persist AI serves multiple top-ten pharmaceutical clients and several smaller biotech firms, all eager to develop next-generation treatments for chronic diseases.

The $12 million in Series A funding will fuel several key initiatives. Persist AI plans to build a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing system for long-acting injectables in collaboration with Nivagen Pharmaceuticals in Sacramento, California. This move will enhance their capabilities and further solidify their position in the market.

Moreover, the funding will expand the robotic lab and create comprehensive data sets to train the company’s AI models. The goal is to broaden the capacity and range of formulations that the AI models and robotic lab can predict, build, and test. This expansion is not just about growth; it’s about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in drug development.

Persist AI is actively seeking partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for co-development of drug products, robotic platforms, and AI training data sets. This collaborative approach is essential in an industry that thrives on innovation and speed.

As the pharmaceutical landscape evolves, the integration of AI and robotics is becoming increasingly vital. Persist AI stands at the forefront of this revolution, ready to tackle the challenges of drug formulation with agility and precision. The Cloud Lab is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a beacon of hope for faster, more efficient drug development.

In a world where every second counts, Persist AI is leading the charge. The combination of AI-driven insights and robotic efficiency is a powerful duo, capable of transforming the pharmaceutical industry. With the launch of the Cloud Lab and the backing of significant funding, Persist AI is poised to redefine the future of drug development.

The implications are profound. Faster drug development means quicker access to life-saving medications. It means fewer resources wasted and more innovative treatments reaching patients in need. As Persist AI continues to expand its capabilities, the potential for groundbreaking advancements in healthcare is limitless.

In conclusion, Persist AI is not just a player in the pharmaceutical game; it’s a revolutionary force. The Cloud Lab platform is a testament to what can be achieved when technology meets ambition. With its recent funding and innovative approach, Persist AI is set to change the way drugs are developed, tested, and brought to market. The future of pharmaceuticals is here, and it’s powered by AI.