Atomic AI is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, focused on revolutionizing RNA-targeted drug discovery through the integration of artificial intelligence and structural biology. The company’s proprietary R&D platform leverages advanced deep learning models and in-house wet-lab assays to discover and develop highly potent and selective RNA-targeted small molecules and RNA-based medicines. Atomic AI aims to unlock new therapeutic strategies for diseases previously considered undruggable by targeting RNA structures, thus opening new frontiers in precision medicine.
Leadership
Founder & CEO: Raphael Townshend, PhD
Raphael Townshend is the founder and CEO of Atomic AI. He has a background in computational biology and artificial intelligence, with research featured on the cover of Science. Townshend’s expertise lies in applying machine learning to biological structure prediction and drug discovery, and he has been recognized for pioneering work at the intersection of AI and structural biology.
Head of Business Development: Mark Stead, PhD
Mark Stead leads business development at Atomic AI, bringing experience in life sciences, partnering, and strategic growth within biotech.
Core Technologies
Deep Learning for RNA Structure Prediction
Atomic AI’s platform uses state-of-the-art deep learning models to predict RNA structures with atomic precision, enabling the rational design of RNA-targeted therapeutics.
ATOM-1 Platform
ATOM-1 is the company’s flagship technology, harnessing large-scale RNA chemical mapping to break barriers in RNA structure prediction and accelerate the discovery of RNA medicines.
Integrated Wet-Lab Assays
The platform operates in a virtuous cycle with purpose-built, in-house wet-lab assays, ensuring experimental validation and refinement of AI-driven predictions.
Rational Drug Design
By fusing AI and structural biology, Atomic AI enables the rational design of small molecules and RNA-based medicines for targets that have been historically undruggable at the protein level.
Key Capabilities
Discovery and development of highly selective RNA-targeted small molecules
Design and validation of RNA-based therapeutics
Application of AI to accelerate and de-risk drug discovery pipelines
Generation of proprietary structure data to fuel and improve AI models
Investors
Atomic AI is a privately held, well-funded early-stage company.
The company has received sizeable early-stage funding, as highlighted by Nature Biotechnology, though specific investor names, investment amounts, and valuation details are not publicly disclosed in the available sources.
Notable mentions of support and recognition include features in leading industry publications and participation in high-profile summits, indicating strong interest from the biotech and venture capital communities.
Notable Clients
Atomic AI’s primary focus is on internal R&D and platform development; there are no public announcements of specific commercial clients or partnerships on their website or in recent announcements.
The company collaborates with leading academic, industry, and government stakeholders to advance AI-enabled biosciences, as evidenced by participation in summits and panels with organizations like the U.S. Department of State, Microsoft, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
