Sightera Biosciences, a Belgian
techbio company using generative AI to develop novel small-molecule therapies,
has raised €3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by Entourage, Anacura and
QBIC.
A spin-off from the University of
Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital (UZA), Sightera is developing an
AI-native drug discovery platform focused on oncology and fibrosis.
Unlike many
AI drug discovery companies that rely on public or generic datasets, Sightera
trains its models using proprietary data generated from patient-derived
biological samples collected from individuals with advanced, therapy-resistant
disease. These samples are used to create preclinical models, including
organoids, that closely replicate human disease biology and generate
large-scale drug-response datasets.
The proprietary datasets underpin
Sightera’s AI platform, enabling it to design small molecules based on
biological responses observed in patient-derived systems rather than chemical
properties alone. By placing human disease biology at the centre of the
discovery process, the company aims to improve the likelihood that AI-designed
drug candidates will translate successfully into clinical development.
The funding will support the
expansion of Sightera’s AI-powered drug discovery platform, accelerate the
development of its preclinical pipeline and advance its lead molecular glue
oncology programme towards preclinical candidate selection.
The company also
plans to strengthen strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies while expanding its research, AI and data science
teams.