AZothBio
AZothBio is a South Korea-based AI-native drug discovery company offering an integrated platform of 13 AI modules spanning target identification, lead optimization, ADME/T prediction, and drug delivery, serving pharmaceutical and biotech partners through co-development and licensing agreements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersHanam, South Korea
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What AZothBio does
AZothBio is a South Korea-based AI drug discovery company founded in 2016 (originally as Medicojem) and headquartered in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. The company operates an integrated drug discovery platform comprising 13 AI service modules spanning the full pre-clinical workflow, including lead compound identification, target-based screening, ADME/T prediction, peptide analysis and design, phenotype-based screening, and custom model development. The platform is built on six named proprietary AI models: AiGPro (multi-task GPCR activity prediction across 231 human cell surface proteins), AiKPro (kinase profiling across ~450 subtypes using multi-head attention deep learning, patent registered as No. 10-2558546), AiSAR (structure-activity relationship analysis), AiMol (generative AI for de novo compound design), AiCPP (cell-penetrating peptide discovery analyzing over 1 trillion peptide sequences per day), and AiLNPTS (lipid nanoparticle ionizable lipid discovery for nucleic acid delivery). These models operate on the proprietary BioDL data integration platform and AiDL orchestration layer, with the ABDP biomedical delivery platform extending capabilities into delivery system development for small molecules, mRNA, and RNAi therapeutics.
The company serves enterprise pharmaceutical and biotech customers through B2B co-development partnerships, technology licensing, and research collaboration agreements. Named partners include Daewoong Pharmaceutical, Samyang Holdings Biopharma Group, Geninus, Prestige Biopharma IDC, Anigen, Wellmarker Bio, Autotelicbio, Hoisin Ion, and K-MEDI hub, plus international engagements with Japanese pharmaceutical companies via BioJapan 2024 and Shonan iPark cluster membership. AZothBio also advances an internal pipeline, most notably AZB-101, a selective TYK2 inhibitor for psoriasis and autoimmune diseases selected for the KDDF Korea Drug Development Fund program in September 2025 with a 2027 preclinical entry target.
Revenue is generated through licensing and royalty arrangements on co-developed and proprietary drug candidates, supplemented by KDDF grant funding. The company became a subsidiary of Central Insight in February 2021 following a 20 billion KRW initial tranche (with up to 180 billion KRW additional committed) via third-party convertible bond, making Central Insight the largest shareholder. Prior to that, AZothBio raised a 6 billion KRW Series A in December 2020 from DB Financial Investment and Emford Equity Partners. The company has 11-50 employees and operates under the legal name AZothBio, Inc.
AZothBio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AZothBio
- Legal name
- AZothBio, Inc.
- Website
- https://azothbio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AZothBio is a South Korea-based AI-native drug discovery company offering an integrated platform of 13 AI modules spanning target identification, lead optimization, ADME/T prediction, and drug delivery, serving pharmaceutical and biotech partners through co-development and licensing agreements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AZothBio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- AI Drug Discovery
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization (HLAGAJAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AI/ML-Enabled Biologic Discovery Platforms (computational design, in silico screening) (HLAAAIAE), Protein Engineering & Directed Evolution Platforms (enzyme/therapeutic protein optimization) (HLAAAIAC), Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB)
Keywords
Where AZothBio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hanam
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
AZothBio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- AI Drug Discovery Platform Services: AZothBio provides AI-driven drug discovery services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including virtual screening, compound optimization, and target validation. Revenue is generated through research collaboration agreements, co-development contracts, and technology licensing arrangements.
- Drug Candidate Technology Transfer (License-out): The company develops proprietary drug candidates (e.g., AZB-101 TYK2 inhibitor) and pursues early-stage technology transfer (license-out) to domestic and global pharmaceutical companies. KDDF grant funding supports research through the preclinical stage with a goal of licensing out.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
AZothBio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AZothBio is an AI-based drug discovery company that provides an integrated platform of 13 AI modules covering the full drug discovery lifecycle — from target identification, lead compound generation, ADME/T prediction, and peptide design to drug delivery system development. The company partners with pharmaceutical and biotech firms on co-development agreements, technology licensing arrangements, and the advancement of its own proprietary drug candidate pipeline (notably AZB-101, a selective TYK2 inhibitor targeting autoimmune diseases).
Product overview
AZothBio is an AI-based drug discovery company offering an integrated platform of 13 AI service modules covering the full drug discovery lifecycle (lead identification, target selectivity, ADME/T prediction, peptide design, phenotypic screening, and custom modeling). The platform is built on proprietary AI models including AiGPro for GPCR target prediction, AiKPro for kinase profiling, AiSAR for structure-activity analysis, AiMol for generative compound design, AiCPP for cell-penetrating peptide discovery, and AiLNPTS for lipid nanoparticle delivery. These models operate on two core platforms — BioDL for big data integration and AiDL for AI model orchestration — supported by the ABDP biomedical delivery platform for drug carrier development. The company also advances its own pipeline, most notably AZB-101, a selective TYK2 inhibitor for autoimmune diseases selected for Korea's national drug development program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- 13 AI Modules Service Platform
- AiGPro (GPCR AI Model)
- AiKPro (Kinase AI Profiling Model)
- AiSAR (AI-based Structure-Activity Relationship Model)
- AiMol (Generative AI for Small Molecule Design)
- AiCPP (Cell Penetrating Peptide AI Model)
- AiLNPTS (Lipid Nanoparticle Transport System AI Model)
- BioDL (Big Data Integration Analysis Solution)
- AiDL (AI Integration Platform)
- ABDP (AZothBio Biomedical Delivery Platform)
- AZB-101 (Selective TYK2 Inhibitor)
Quantifiable outcome
- Lead compound identification timeline reduced from 2-3 years (traditional) to under 6 months using AI
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AZothBio
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
AZothBio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
AZothBio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- K-MEDI hub (대구경북첨단의료산업진흥재단)coreAZothBio and K-MEDI hub are co-developing autoimmune disease treatment drug candidate 'selective TYK2 inhibitor' (AZB-101) under the KDDF (Korea Drug Development Fund) national drug development program. AZothBio received KDDF topic selection for candidate substance derivation, with 2 years of research funding and a 2027 preclinical entry target.
- Japanese Pharmaceutical Companies (unspecified)coreAZothBio is in ongoing collaboration with multiple Japanese pharmaceutical companies for AI drug discovery. Discussions are active for AZB-101 technology transfer, co-development, and collaborative research. The company participates in BioJapan 2024 and is a member of the Shonan iPark innovation cluster to facilitate Japan market entry.
- Prestige Biopharma IDCcoreMOU for biotechnology R&D and commercialization combining AZothBio's AI and peptide technologies with Prestige Biopharma's antibody technologies. Goal is to accelerate innovation in biotechnology and strengthen global market competitiveness.
- Anigen (애니젠)minorMOU for new peptide drug development and commercialization. Collaboration covers peptide library construction, manufacturing/production, analysis, and new drug development. AZothBio contributes AI models for cell-penetrating peptides and epitopes; Anigen provides peptide synthesis and GMP manufacturing capabilities.
- Daewoong Pharmaceutical (대웅제약)coreAI-based anticancer drug co-research using synthetic lethality approach. AZothBio uses its AI platform to discover and optimize synthetic lethal anticancer drug candidates; Daewoong handles efficacy evaluation and clinical development. Goal is to significantly reduce development timeline and increase success probability.
- Samyang Holdings (삼양홀딩스) Biopharma GroupcoreJoint R&D collaboration on cationic lipid development for nucleic acid delivery systems using AI model AiLNPTS. AZothBio proposes novel lipid candidates using AI; Samyang Holdings conducts synthesis, formulation, and efficacy validation. Building on a March 2022 joint research agreement.
- Geninus (지니너스)coreCo-research agreement for autoimmune disease drug development (Project GENIAZOS). Geninus provides clinical-genomic big data platform for target discovery; AZothBio validates targets and discovers drugs using AI. Geninus handles biomarker development and companion diagnostics; AZothBio leads target validation, virtual screening, lead optimization, and preclinical studies.
- Ewha Womans University Medical Center (이화여자대학교의료원)minorMOU for AI platform-based co-R&D on oncology, immunology drugs, and drug delivery platforms. Joint activities include drug discovery idea generation, validation research, and co-development of immunotherapy candidates.
- Hoisin Ion (휴사이온)minorAI-assisted anticancer drug R&D using Hoisin Ion's Nocarbenzoxazole derivative library for colorectal cancer treatment. AZothBio provides AI platform for efficacy validation and development optimization; Hoisin Ion contributes natural product R&D platform and ON-set screening capabilities.
- Rescale (리스케일)coreAZothBio operates its AI drug discovery platform on Rescale's cloud high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, enabling partners to conduct drug discovery projects regardless of location or time. AZothBio was selected for Rescale's 'Tech Against Covid' program for COVID-19 treatment research.
- Autotelicbio (오토텔릭바이오)minorInitial agreement for targeted anticancer drug co-development using AZothBio AI platform. Expanded in September 2020 to include immuno-oncology drug co-development with equal investment and shared rights.
- Wellmarker Bio (웰마커바이오)minorBiomarker-based targeted anticancer drug co-development to overcome resistant mutations identified in Wellmarker Bio's drug target proteins. AZothBio uses its AI-GAN based model for drug candidate generation and optimization; Wellmarker Bio leads efficacy studies and drug development.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AZothBio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Exscientia: AI-driven drug discovery company combining generative AI design with laboratory automation, operating partnered and internal programs. Direct peer: similar full-stack AI drug discovery service + internal pipeline approach, with a published track record of pharma collaborations.
- Insilico Medicine: Global AI drug discovery leader combining generative chemistry, target identification, and clinical development with internal pipeline programs. Direct peer: similar full-stack AI drug discovery approach, including internal drug candidate development — the structural model AZothBio is pursuing at a smaller scale.
- XtalPi: AI + robotics-driven drug discovery company offering both platform services and co-development partnerships to global pharma. Direct peer: provides AI-augmented molecular design and engages in partnered programs, with a regional Asia anchor that overlaps with AZothBio's APAC footprint.
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals: AI-driven drug discovery platform combining high-throughput biology with machine learning, operating both partnered programs and an internal pipeline. Direct peer in the AI-discovery platform category with both partnership revenue and proprietary asset monetization.
- Schrödinger: Computational chemistry and materials platform provider with both software (live design/screening) and internal drug discovery programs. Direct peer: combines licensed computational drug discovery platform with proprietary pipeline, mirroring AZothBio's service + internal asset model.
- Syntekabio: Korean AI drug discovery company offering target identification, lead optimization, and biomarker discovery platforms to global pharma. Direct peer: same Korean origin and B2B AI drug discovery service model, with overlapping pharma customer base in Korea and abroad.
- Atomwise: AI small molecule discovery company using convolutional neural networks for virtual screening across pharma partnerships. Direct peer in AI small-molecule discovery services, addressing similar target classes (kinases, GPCRs) and serving pharma customers.
- Standigm: Korean AI-driven drug discovery company offering end-to-end drug discovery platforms (Standigm AI). Direct peer: same Korean origin, same B2B AI drug discovery platform model serving pharma partners, with overlapping target classes including kinases and GPCRs.
Emerging players
- Iambic: AI-driven drug discovery company with physics-informed neural network architectures for molecular property prediction. Emerging peer: comparable in approach to AZothBio's AiKPro/AiGPro physics+deep-learning models, though at an earlier commercial stage.
- Iktos: Generative AI drug discovery company focused on multi-parameter optimization for small molecule design. Emerging peer: provides generative chemistry AI platforms and partnership services to pharma, overlapping with AZothBio's AiMol generative model and partnership GTM.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AZothBio social profiles
Digital presenceAZothBio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AZothBio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
AZothBio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AZothBio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AZothBio
What does AZothBio do?
AZothBio is an AI-based drug discovery company that provides an integrated platform of 13 AI modules covering the full drug discovery lifecycle — from target identification, lead compound generation, ADME/T prediction, and peptide design to drug delivery system development. The company partners with pharmaceutical and biotech firms on co-development agreements, technology licensing arrangements, and the advancement of its own proprietary drug candidate pipeline (notably AZB-101, a selective TYK2 inhibitor targeting autoimmune diseases).
Is AZothBio a public or private company?
AZothBio is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AZothBio founded?
AZothBio was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AZothBio based?
AZothBio is headquartered in Hanam, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does AZothBio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. AI Drug Discovery Platform Services are the primary driver. The others are drug Candidate Technology Transfer (License-out).
Who are AZothBio's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Exscientia, Insilico Medicine, XtalPi, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Schrödinger, Syntekabio, Atomwise and Standigm. Emerging players are Iambic and Iktos.
Does AZothBio have an API?
No public API is recorded for AZothBio.
What industry is AZothBio in?
AZothBio's product category is AI Drug Discovery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAJAO, AI/ML Platforms for Drug Discovery & Experiment Optimization, with a secondary code of HLAAAIAE, AI/ML-Enabled Biologic Discovery Platforms (computational design, in silico screening). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2836.