Artificial intelligence is making waves in the field of chemistry, and YC-backed startup ReactWise is at the forefront of this transformation. Based in Cambridge, U.K., the company is leveraging AI to accelerate chemical manufacturing, a critical process in bringing new pharmaceuticals to market.
AI-Powered Acceleration in Drug Production
Once a promising drug is identified in a lab, pharmaceutical companies must scale up production to conduct clinical trials. Traditionally, this process relies on trial-and-error methods or expert knowledge. ReactWise is introducing an AI-driven solution to optimize chemical processes, claiming a 30x acceleration compared to conventional methods.
“Manufacturing drugs is similar to cooking,” explains co-founder and CEO Alexander Pomberger. “You need the right recipe to achieve high purity and yield.” By integrating automation, ReactWise significantly reduces the number of trial iterations needed to refine the manufacturing process.
The startup envisions a future where AI can provide a “one-shot prediction”—an almost instant recommendation for the optimal manufacturing conditions without multiple experimental cycles. Pomberger estimates this breakthrough could be achieved within two years.
Cutting Down Tedious Processes with AI
Pomberger, a chemist with experience in Big Pharma, was inspired to launch ReactWise after witnessing the inefficiencies in process development. The startup consolidates five years of academic research—particularly his Ph.D. work on AI-driven chemical synthesis automation—into an accessible software platform.
ReactWise’s AI model is powered by data from thousands of reactions conducted in its own laboratory. Using high-throughput screening, the company can test 300 reactions simultaneously, accelerating data collection and AI training.
Revolutionizing Chemical Process Optimization
The pharmaceutical industry typically relies on a limited set of chemical reactions to manufacture drugs. ReactWise is building AI models trained on 20,000 chemical data points, covering the most common reaction types.
“Traditionally, a chemist needs 1-3 days to obtain a single data point,” Pomberger notes. “This makes process optimization slow and costly.” By automating and optimizing the workflow, ReactWise dramatically reduces the time and expense associated with drug manufacturing.
Currently, the company is focused on small-molecule drugs, which are used to treat various diseases. However, Pomberger highlights that the technology could extend beyond pharmaceuticals, as the startup is collaborating with two material manufacturers in polymer drug delivery development.
Seamless Integration with Robotic Labs
Beyond AI-powered chemical optimization, ReactWise’s software can interface with robotic laboratory equipment, further enhancing precision drug manufacturing. While the company does not produce robotic lab kits, its software ensures seamless integration with existing automation systems.
Founded in July 2024, ReactWise has already launched 12 pilot trials with pharmaceutical companies, including Big Pharma players. The company expects its first full-scale software deployments later this year.
Pre-Seed Funding and Future Growth
ReactWise has successfully raised $3.4 million in pre-seed funding. This includes:
- $500,000 from Y Combinator
- $1.6 million from an Innovate U.K. grant
- $1.5 million from venture capitalists and angel investors
The funding supports the company’s goal of AI-driven, sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing. By optimizing process development, ReactWise aims to significantly reduce the 10–12-year timeline typically required for drug approval.
Staying Ahead in AI-Driven Drug Manufacturing
As AI continues to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry, multiple startups are applying automation to different aspects of drug development. However, ReactWise claims a unique competitive advantage by focusing on the manufacturing process.
Unlike competitors that rely on statistical modeling, ReactWise generates its own high-quality datasets to power AI-driven process optimization. “We are the only ones generating high-quality reaction data in-house,” Pomberger asserts.
Instead of merely providing software that suggests process instructions, ReactWise offers pre-trained AI models that deeply understand chemistry, enabling pharmaceutical companies to receive immediate process recommendations upon implementation.
With its AI-powered software, the startup is poised to transform how drugs are manufactured—cutting down costs, inefficiencies, and time-to-market for life-saving medications.
