OUR STORY
Why Etcembly exists
AI-enabled drug discovery is no longer theoretical. Programmes leveraging AI are demonstrating meaningful improvements in speed, cost efficiency, and early clinical trial outcomes.
25-50%
Estimated time & cost savings in AI-driven R&D efforts¹
$25.7B
Projected AI market growth in pharma by 2030²
80-90%
Reported Phase I success rates for AI-discovered molecules³
Having contributed to the development of more than 20 FDA-approved drugs, our founding team recognized that not all AI is equal. Algorithms trained without a deep understanding of biological constraints struggle to design molecules that are novel, manufacturable, stable, and clinically actionable.
In 2020, we founded Etcembly to close that gap and create a biologically grounded AI platform that unifies biochemical, structural, and developability insights with machine learning to accelerate and de-risk therapeutic design.
References
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Wellcome Trust and Boston Consulting Group. Unlocking the potential of AI in drug discovery. Wellcome Trust. Published June 26th, 2023. https://wellcome.org/reports/unlocking-potential-ai-drug-discovery
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Devereson, Alex, and Navraj Nagra. “How Pharma Is Rewriting the AI Playbook: Perspectives from Industry Leaders.” The Synthesis, November 26, 2025. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/the-synthesis/how-pharma-is-rewriting-the-ai-playbook-perspectives-from-industry-leaders
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Kp Jayatunga M, Ayers M, Bruens L, Jayanth D, Meier C. How successful are AI-discovered drugs in clinical trials? A first analysis and emerging lessons. Drug Discov Today. 29(6): 104009 (2024). doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104009
OUR MILESTONES
What we’ve built so far
3
TCR and antibody-specific LLMs fine-tuned/created
4
Patents filed
$20M
In funding raised
OUR TEAM
Built by scientists, for scientists
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Michelle Teng
CEO
Co-founder
20 years of experience across pipeline from discovery to translational medicine in Immunocore (KIMMTRAK) & AstraZeneca (FluMist)
Jacob Hurst
CTO
Co-founder
25 years of experience in translational medicine (KIMMTRAK), TCR and antibody repertoire analytics (Abysis)
NICK PUMPHREY
CSO
Over 20 years of experience developing TCR-based therapeutics at Immunocore and Adaptimmune (Afamicel)
MITHI THAYA
Tech Advisor
Experienced tech
founder with multiple
successful exits
JOHN MCCAFFERTY
Scientific Advisor
Serial entrepreneur.
Founder of Cambridge
Antibody Technology,
Maxion Tx, IonTas
NICK CROSS
Chairman
Serial founder and investor
with considerable Board
experience, including
Immunocore,
Adaptimmune, Oxford
Asymmetry and Oxford
Semiconductor Ltd
Bent Jakobsen
Director
TCR therapies pioneer.
Founded Immunocore
and Adaptimmune
CaREERS
Help us shape the future of biologics discovery
Tackling the intractable problems in drug development requires exceptional talent. We are committed to developing the next generation of scientists and welcome motivated individuals who share our vision. If you aspire to break boundaries in precision medicine and can demonstrate an understanding of the convergence of these fields, we are interested in hearing from you.
