Menten AI

Menten AI is a generative AI company pioneering the design of cyclic peptide therapeutics for drug targets that lie beyond the reach of conventional small molecules and biologics. Founded by experts in computational drug design, the company brings together scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers united by the goal of transforming innovative AI-driven research into life-changing medicines. Menten AI partners with top-10 pharmaceutical leaders — including Bristol Myers Squibb — to accelerate preclinical discovery, and is backed by world-class investors including Social Impact Capital, Uncork Capital, Khosla Ventures, and Y Combinator.

At the core of Menten AI's offering is MAUD 1.0 (Multi-parametric AI for Unbiased Design), a proprietary generative AI platform purpose-built for the design of peptide macrocycles. Unlike traditional library screening or conventional machine learning approaches, MAUD 1.0 combines generative AI with physics-based modeling and quantum chemistry simulations to design novel peptide macrocycles entirely from scratch — de novo — without requiring large training datasets. This physics-informed approach enables atomic-precision peptide design and creates a shortcut to the right chemical space, accelerating therapeutic discovery for even the most challenging targets.

MAUD 1.0 Platform Capabilities

• De novo macrocycle design: Generates novel peptide macrocycles from scratch, including for complex drug targets such as challenging Protein-Protein Interfaces.
• Multi-parametric optimization: Simultaneously optimizes multiple drug-like properties including potency, membrane permeability, oral bioavailability, cell permeability, and metabolic stability.
• Hybrid AI and physics approach: Integrates generative AI, physics-based modeling, and quantum chemistry simulations, eliminating dependence on large datasets while maintaining high design precision.
• Expanded chemical space: Bypasses the limitations of traditional screening to access a broader and more relevant chemical space for drug-like peptides.

Validated Performance Across the Preclinical Pipeline

• MAUD 1.0 has been validated from in silico design through in vitro and in vivo studies, demonstrating robust preclinical results.
• nM-level potency achieved in designed macrocycles.
• Membrane permeability and cell permeability demonstrated in designed compounds.
• Oral bioavailability established as a key drug-like property of platform outputs.
• Favorable DMPK properties confirmed across designed candidates.
• In vivo efficacy demonstrated in preclinical studies.
• Greater than 90% hit rate achieved, trusted by top-10 pharma partners.

Leadership and Scientific Team

• Hans Melo, PhD — CEO & Co-Founder; PhD in Machine Learning & Computational Neuroscience.
• Vikram Mulligan, PhD — CTO & Co-Founder; PhD in Biochemistry and core developer of the Rosetta software.
• Andrea McNeal, MBA — VP of Business Development; 20+ years of BD leadership in Biotech and Pharma.
• Patrick Finneran, PhD — Associate Director, Platform Development; PhD in Biochemistry & Biophysics.
• Stephan Kudlacek, PhD — Associate Director, Protein Design; PhD in Biochemistry & Biophysics.
• Elliott Dolan, PhD — Senior Scientist, Protein Design; PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Quantitative Biomedicine.
• Musa Ozboyaci, PhD — Scientist, Biophysics; PhD in Computational Biophysics.
• Additional scientists and team members with expertise spanning biochemistry, biomedicine, and computational biophysics.

Scientific Advisors

• Ada Silos-Santiago, MD, PhD — Drug Discovery Expert; MD & PhD in Neurobiology.
• Armand B. Cognetta III, PhD — Chemo-proteomics Pioneer; PhD in Chemical Biology from the Scripps Research Institute.
• John Baldoni, PhD — Industry Leader; PhD in Biological Chemistry and recognized pharma innovator.
• Yvonne Angell, PhD — Peptide Chemistry Expert; PhD in Medicinal Chemistry.

Company Values

• Teamwork: Collaborative culture built on the belief that great science takes a village.
• Compassion: A genuine care for colleagues and the patients who will ultimately benefit from the medicines developed.
• Diversity: Embracing different life experiences and unique perspectives as drivers of innovation.
• Resilience: Learning from failures and emerging stronger through every challenge.
• Kindness: Elevating others as a foundation for doing the best work.

Menten AI is actively partnering with pharmaceutical organizations to apply MAUD 1.0 across preclinical discovery programs, with a focus on targets previously considered undruggable. The company's unique combination of generative AI, quantum simulations, and physics-based design positions it at the forefront of next-generation peptide drug discovery.