Aqemia Secures $7.4M to Expand RNA-Targeting Programs With Physics-Based Generative AI

Aqemia has announced a $7.4 million grant from the France 2030 investment plan to accelerate its work in RNA-targeted drug discovery. The funding will support the expansion of its generative AI platform—originally developed for protein targets—to address the complexity of RNA structures and RNA-modifying enzymes.

Aqemia’s approach combines physics-based algorithms and statistical mechanics to drive drug design without depending on experimental data. The company reports that this platform will now be extended to address the unique challenges of RNA biology, including molecular flexibility and structural heterogeneity. According to Aqemia, it plans to experimentally determine and characterize a range of RNA and RNA-modifying targets to further refine the platform.

Aqemia's platform has been used in both internal programs and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, with its most advanced candidates showing efficacy in animal models. 

Founders of Aqemia, Maximilien Levesque (CEO) and Emmanuelle Martiano (COO)

The company’s interest in RNA stems from its regulatory role in gene expression and its relevance in diseases such as cancer. While RNA has long been considered a challenging class of therapeutic targets, Aqemia is positioning its technology to overcome this.

Aqemia has already initiated several RNA-targeting programs and states that some have progressed toward preclinical development. One program, in collaboration with Novalix, is reported to have shown strong anti-cancer effects in vitro and is currently being tested in in vivo models.

In parallel, the company continues to advance its broader drug discovery pipeline, which includes small-molecule therapeutics for protein targets. According to Aqemia, the new funding will enhance the platform’s capacity to model highly flexible molecular targets, both protein- and RNA-based.

Dr. Maximilien Levesque, CEO and Co-Founder of Aqemia, stated that the expansion into RNA reflects the company’s strategy to broaden its technological scope and develop drug candidates for difficult-to-target biological mechanisms.

In December 2024, the company had surpassed $100 million in total funding following a $38 million round led by Cathay Innovation.

Topics: Startups & Deals