Rhizome Research, a startup based in Seattle, recently emerged from stealth mode, showcasing its innovative approach to drug discovery. Founded by CEO Xhuliano Brace and his team, the company has developed a unique model named r1, which utilizes a graph neural network to design small drug-like molecules.
Brace, who previously spent four years at Amazon, decided to self-fund the venture after realizing that traditional venture capitalists were hesitant to invest in their unconventional methods. He invested a six-figure amount using personal savings and trading proceeds. Alongside him, the leadership team includes Yiwen Wang, the chief scientist with a PhD in chemistry, and Gregory Sinenka, the chief technologist with a physics doctorate.
Unlike established models such as RoseTTAFold, Rhizome’s r1 model focuses on the molecular structure itself, analyzing atoms and bonds to optimize drug candidates for specific targets. The team is committed to ensuring that their drug-like molecules can be efficiently synthesized and are eligible for patent protection. Recently, Rhizome launched ADAMS, an open-source AI tool designed to assist in drug discovery using natural language instructions.