Scientific advancements are catalysts of change, continuously reshaping industries across the globe. Driven by relentless curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, these advancements have the power to disrupt traditional paradigms, redefine possibilities and unlock new realms of innovation.
In a world where such ground-breaking scientific advancements are constantly reshaping industries, Synsight emerges as a trailblazing company that seamlessly merges the domains of chemistry, biology and artificial intelligence (AI). Under the visionary leadership of CEO and Co-founder Cyril Bauvais, Synsight’s unique approach within the biotech and AI spheres sets it apart from its competitors, enabling it to revolutionize the field of drug discovery.
At the heart of Synsight’s mission lies a steadfast focus on RNA-protein interactions and protein-protein interactions targeting. By honing in on these crucial molecular interactions, the company aims to unlock a deeper understanding of cellular processes and pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions. However, What distinguishes Synsight is its ability to operate directly within the complex cellular environment, providing unprecedented insights into biological mechanisms.
Operating within the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities provided by the Structure and Activity of Normal and Pathological Biomolecules, Synsight has access to cutting-edge offices and labs for cellular and molecular biology, structural biology and advanced high-tech equipment. Among the impressive tools at their disposal is the high-content Opera Phenix Plus microscope from PerkinElmer. This arsenal of resources empowers Synsight’s team of interdisciplinary scientists to undertake ambitious research endeavors and push the boundaries of scientific innovation.
As Synsight takes its place at the forefront of scientific discovery, the company’s commitment to innovation and transformative research is set to revolutionize the landscape of drug development. By seamlessly integrating chemistry, biology and AI, Synsight aspires to unlock new frontiers in medical science, delivering breakthrough treatments and improving the lives of countless individuals worldwide.
With each step forward, let’s dive in to learn about how Synsight reaffirms its position as a visionary leader in pursuing innovative solutions at the intersections of science and technology.
Core Mission
Synsight is witnessing major medical advances that have transformed its ability to treat and heal patients. The drug discovery process is becoming more complex and expensive. Many patients still do not benefit from effective treatments. A situation primarily associated with clinical phase failure.
Although the use of artificial intelligence in medical research was previously marginal (due to the limitation of biological information necessary for learning), cell biology and biotechnology development made it possible to produce biological information on a large scale. In recent years, the artificial intelligence revolution has made it possible to solve previously unsolvable problems.
Based on this observation, Synsight’s mission is to use the tools of modern biology to generate qualitative data sets rather than relying on existing but unreliable data. Its work is based on phenotypic screening, which allows the generation of cellular image data, which are then analyzed and optimized with generative models to develop new molecules of their own class. This ability to predict the efficacy, toxicity and physicochemical properties of drug candidates makes it possible to predict the “treatability” of drug candidates early in drug development.
Combining Chemistry, Biology and Artificial Intelligence: A Unique Approach
Synsight combines chemistry, biology and artificial intelligence. Working in biotechnology and Artificial intelligence together makes Synsight’s approach unique. The company focuses on RNA-protein interactions and protein-protein interactions targeting to differentiate itself from competitors. In addition, their approach allows them to work directly in the cell to the environment. Supporting the work of RNA expert David Pastré, Synsight obtained an exclusive license to the Microtubule Bench (MTbench) technology, which simultaneously allows to explore its overall potential.
Synsight operates from a SABNP-managed laboratory and has access to offices and laboratories for cellular and molecular biology, structural biology and high-tech devices; including high content Opera Phenix Plus microscope from PerkinElmer.
The company combines large amounts of complex biological data and structural modeling for data-driven drug design using deep learning AI models to streamline and accelerate the drug discovery process.
Targeting Biomolecule Interactions
Synsight, a pioneering company, specializes in precisely targeting biomolecule interactions, explicitly focusing on RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Thus, it employs a comprehensive range of assays to assess the efficacy of therapeutic candidates. This includes the utilization of an MT bench for primary screening, followed by secondary screening using phenotypic and functional assays. Additionally, biophysical assays, such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), provide intricate details regarding binding modes, offering crucial insights for AI models. Moreover, structural biology and NMR-based structural molecular modeling expertise are employed to elucidate potential drug candidates’ binding modes and mechanisms of action.
Synsight’s strategic focus on small molecules as therapeutics stems from their inherent advantages. Firstly, small molecules possess the ability to traverse cell membranes, facilitating their access to intracellular targets. Furthermore, these molecules can be formulated in various ways, including oral pills and capsules, injectables for intravenous or subcutaneous administration, inhalational medicines and suppositories. This versatility in formulation options empowers healthcare providers with flexible treatment modalities in clinical settings.
Using Artificial Intelligence
Synsight leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to achieve unparalleled learning capabilities from its extensive experimentation. By training AI models with real-world data, Synsight harnesses their immense potential to gain a profound understanding of intricate biological systems, enabling the rapid design of optimal solutions.
A remarkable innovation within Synsight’s AI models lies in their ability to adopt a multiscale perspective when evaluating small molecule candidates. These models integrate diverse experimental inputs, incorporating data from various sources such as direct binding interactions with purified proteins, direct activity assessments within cellular environments, as well as phenotypic and functional effects. This multiscale AI model serves as an exceptionally potent tool, providing invaluable guidance to medicinal chemistry experts in the process of drug design.
The Need for Targeting RNA
Synsight’s strategic focus on targeting RNA sets them apart from the majority of market players, who primarily concentrate on drugs that target proteins. This emphasis on RNA is motivated by several significant factors that underscore its untapped potential. The ground-breaking Encyclopaedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, for instance, has shed light on the vast transcriptional activity of the genome, revealing that approximately 70-90% of the genome is transcribed into RNA. Surprisingly, only a mere 3% of these transcripts encode proteins.
Further analysis reveals that a limited percentage of human proteins, estimated at around 10-15%, have disease-modifying properties. Additionally, only a comparable proportion of proteins, approximately 10-15%, are considered “druggable” without any correlation between the two categories. This implies that merely 1 to 2.25% of disease-modifying proteins will likely be amenable to drug targeting. Consequently, the pool of undiscovered drug targets appears to be highly restricted.
However, RNA plays a pivotal role in crucial cellular functions such as information transfer and gene regulation. Moreover, emerging evidence has established its involvement in numerous human diseases. Although challenging, the pursuit of targeting RNA with small molecules presents promising opportunities to therapeutically modulate a wide array of cellular processes, including those involving traditionally considered “undruggable” protein targets.
Synsight’s bold approach to exploring the potential of RNA as a therapeutic target aligns with its commitment to uncovering novel avenues in drug discovery. By delving into this relatively unexplored territory, Synsight aims to unlock transformative treatment possibilities and address previously elusive disease mechanisms.
Through their innovative methodologies and multidisciplinary expertise, Synsight is poised to make significant strides in leveraging the therapeutic potential of RNA and reshaping the landscape of pharmaceutical interventions.
