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Innovo Therapeutics

Category: AI in Biotech / Drug Discovery

A clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics for fibrosis, inflammatory diseases, and oncology using its proprietary AI-driven discovery platform, DeepZema®. Innovo Therapeutics was founded in 2019. The company is led by Weilin Xie. Based in Daejeon, South Korea. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $12.0M. Latest round: Series B, $7.5M (10B KRW), 2021-06, led by Atinum Investment. Key investors include CICC; Huajin Capital; Ming Bioventures; Longmen Capital; HMC Ventures.

Founded
2019
Headquarters
Daejeon, South Korea
Team size
11-50
Total funding
$12.0M

Value proposition

Accelerates the identification of high-quality New Chemical Entities (NCEs) by integrating 30+ years of medicinal chemistry expertise with AI, significantly reducing R&D timelines and increasing the success rate of drug candidates.

Products and solutions

DeepZema®: Proprietary AI-augmented drug discovery and optimization platform, INV-001: A first-in-class Hsp47 inhibitor for post-thyroidectomy scars and fibrosis (Phase 2), INV-101: A novel immuno-metabolic modulator for autoimmune diseases like Ulcerative Colitis (Phase 1/2), INV-002: An anti-fibrotic candidate targeting liver fibrosis and NASH (Preclinical/Phase 1), ADC Payload Library: Specialized small molecule payloads for Antibody-Drug Conjugates

Unique value

Unlike pure-play AI firms, the company follows an 'Expert-Led AI' model, where the platform is guided by veterans who developed South Korea's first FDA-approved drug (Factive), ensuring AI outputs are grounded in practical medicinal chemistry.

Target customer

Global pharmaceutical companies for out-licensing and co-development, biotechnology research firms, and healthcare providers specializing in chronic inflammatory conditions.

Industries served

Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare Technology

Technology advantage

The DeepZema® platform excels in ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity) prediction and lead optimization, specifically tuned for small molecules to bridge the gap between computational modeling and clinical reality.

How they differentiate

Innovo utilizes an 'Expert-Led AI' model, where its DeepZema® platform is guided by medicinal chemistry veterans who developed South Korea's first FDA-approved drug (Factive). This bridges the gap between computational AI predictions and real-world clinical success, making it the first Korean AI drug discovery firm to successfully complete Phase 2 trials.

Main competitors

Standigm, Deargen, PharmCADD, Insilico Medicine

Key partnerships

BIO International Convention participant; Biotech Showcase at JPM24

Notable customers

LigaChem Bio (Strategic Partner), Samsung Biologics (CDMO Partner), Y-Biologics (Research Partner)

Major milestones

Announced positive Phase 2 clinical results for INV-001 (post-thyroidectomy scar treatment) in August 2024, Signed strategic collaboration and technology transfer option agreement with LigaChem Bio for ADC payloads in December 2024, DeepZema® platform validated as the first AI-driven platform in Korea to reach Phase 2 clinical stage, Completed Series B funding of 10B KRW in 2021

Growth metrics

AI-augmented drug discovery platform DeepZema®; Phase 2 clinical trials (INV-001 for thyroidectomy scars); Pipeline: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, fibrotic disorders; Small molecule therapeutics focus; 2 funding rounds completed

Market positioning

Clinical-stage AI drug discovery challenger specializing in first-in-class small molecule therapeutics.

Geographic focus

South Korea (Headquarters), Global (Clinical trials and out-licensing focus in North America and Europe).

Patents and IP

Holds a global IP portfolio including at least 4 registered/filed patents covering proprietary NCEs (INV series) and platform methodologies in Korea, the US, and Europe.

About Weilin Xie

20+ years pharmaceutical/biotech experience; Drug discovery expertise

Official website: