Qanatpharma, Zuse Institute Berlin, Enamine, and Proteros biostructures Announce Generative-AI Driven Lead Discovery Collaboration
Joint research program targets new treatments for life-threatening complication of brain hemorrhage
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Qanatpharma (QP), Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB), Enamine, and Proteros biostructures announced the launch of a research collaboration to accelerate the discovery of novel therapeutics targeting cerebral perfusion deficits associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The collaboration focuses on a protein target identified by QP that is involved in regulating cerebrovascular resistance in the brain—a mechanism shown to be compromised in patients with SAH.
This program spans the drug discovery and development process from early generative molecular design and docking studies done by the ZIB developing its proprietary algorithms, via the REAL®-directed compound synthesis by Enamine, the world’s largest supplier of make-on-demand small molecules, to the validation of hit compounds by Proteros using their structure-based drug discovery platform.
Targeting a Critical Unmet Need in Stroke Recovery
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a severe form of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. A leading complication in SAH survivors is delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), a condition that reduces cerebral perfusion and significantly contributes to long-term neurological damage, disability, and death. Current treatment options are largely ineffective. Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker currently approved as a standard of care for SAH, fails to target the molecular mechanism underlying DCI presumably explaining its limited clinical efficacy.
Together, the partners of this collaboration combine detailed insights into the microvascular nature of cerebrovascular complications with computational innovation, medicinal chemistry, protein sciences, biophysics, biochemistry, and structural biology, including cryo-EM, to develop targeted small molecule lead candidates. QP initiated the collaboration to develop its well-characterized cerebrovascular target into an innovative therapy. ZIB brings deep expertise in high-performance computing, ligand docking, and AI-based generative ligand design. Enamine’s unique key to access ultra-large chemical space via the REAL® approach, its unparalleled compound libraries and synthesis capabilities allow rapid translation of virtual hits into real novel chemical matter. Proteros leverages its drug discovery platform to deliver structurally enabled Qualified Hits Lead Series with fully characterized Mode-of-Action enabling downstream Lead Optimization and pre-clinical development.
"Delayed cerebral ischemia is a major contributor to poor outcomes following subarachnoid hemorrhage, and current treatment options remain limited," said Dr. Steffen-Sebastian Bolz, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Qanatpharma. "By building this consortium, we are bringing together the brightest machine learning engineers, chemists, structural biologists, and other scientists to tackle this critical complication. Together, we aim to accelerate the development of a targeted therapy that could significantly improve recovery and long-term outcomes for patients affected by SAH."
DSc. Yurii Moroz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Enamine: "Our consortium with strong complementary expertise leverages the challenging opportunity to navigate towards the most suitable first-in class drug candidate by pushing the limits of accessible chemical space," and Dr. Sven H. Wagner, Vice President of Partnerships at Enamine Germany said "Enamine underscores with our consortium its partnership commitment translating critical discoveries without delay, with highest scientific rigor and under challenging funding bottlenecks into life-saving medicines for patients with high unmet medical need such as with conditions of delayed cerebral ischemia with SAH."
"We are pleased about this collaboration aiming to address a drug target identified by QP which could transform the treatment of life-threatening complications," said Dr Torsten Neuefeind, founder and CEO of Proteros.
Next Steps and Outlook
This multiparty collaboration has already initiated compound screening efforts and will proceed to in vitro validation studies in the second half of 2025. This marks the most significant effort so far towards understanding and ultimately treating diseases driven by microvascular dysfunction with innovative compounds. The program sets a precedent for the use of generative AI technologies in accelerating early-stage drug discovery for cerebrovascular conditions. Stakeholders and researchers interested in collaboration or progress updates are invited to follow the project via QP’s website or contact the collaborators directly.
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