The biotech startup helping prepare pharma for a ‘post-AI world’

Significant capital is being invested in artificial intelligence for drug discovery, yet traditional drug development is notoriously slow, inefficient and risky. Enter BioPhy.

The Philly-based startup was cofounded by Dave Latshaw II, a former biochemical engineer turned Johnson & Johnson executive. As CEO of BioPhy, he aims to help pharmaceutical companies use AI to bring drugs and therapies to market faster.

“The industry as a whole is unprepared for a post-artificial intelligence world in drug discovery,” Latshaw said on the latest episode of the Founding Philly podcast.

“There’s no technology platform that comprehensively addresses this challenge,” he continued. “So that’s really what we’re after — how do you create a tech-enabled development process?”

Latshaw’s pivot to entrepreneurship was driven by his passion for solving complex problems in the pharmaceutical industry, he said.

BioPhy, which he founded in 2019 with two other Wharton MBA alumni after they connected during a bowling night, has been recognized as one of the leaders on that front.

Last year the startup raised a $4.5 million seed round and as it officially launched its AI platforms, piloting them with two of the world’s largest pharma companies, Latshaw told Technical.ly. This spring it was a winner in Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards.

BioPhy specifically targets the post-discovery phase, Latshaw said, using AI to accelerate drug candidates toward market readiness via two main platforms:

• BioLogicAI is an AI-powered tool that predicts clinical trial outcomes, helping companies quickly identify the most promising drug candidates. The company says that over 2,000 clinical trials, its technology accurately predicted outcomes with an 80% success rate,
• BioPhyRx is an AI companion that provides real-time guidance for scientists and regulatory professionals, streamlining everything from compliance checks to operational workflows.

Listen to the full podcast to hear about Latshaw’s journey from engineer to entrepreneur, the challenges and successes of integrating AI into a highly regulated industry, and his vision for the future of pharmaceuticals with AI.