VantAI and Halda Therapeutics Announce Strategic $1 Billion+ Collaboration to Develop Next-Generation RIPTAC Therapies for Cancer and Immune Diseases

VantAI, a leader in generative AI for proximity drug discovery, has announced a strategic collaboration with Halda Therapeutics, a pioneer in RIPTAC (Regulated Induced Proximity Targeting Chimeras) therapeutics, to accelerate the development of next-generation precision medicines for oncology and immunology. The partnership, valued at over $1 billion in potential total value, combines VantAI’s AI-driven structural proteomics platform with Halda’s clinically validated RIPTAC modality to create highly selective, cell-targeted therapies. Under the agreement, VantAI will use its Neo-1 foundation model and NeoLink high-throughput structural proteomics platform to identify and validate novel, context-specific target-effector pairs across cancer and immune-related diseases. These pairs will be integrated into Halda’s RIPTAC pipeline, which operates through a unique “hold-and-kill” mechanism. This approach brings together a disease-specific target protein and a functional effector protein to form a new, non-natural complex that disrupts essential cellular processes in diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue. The collaboration includes upfront payments, research funding, milestone-based development and commercial payments, and tiered royalties on future sales. The partnership is designed to expand over time, with potential to include additional targets and therapeutic areas. Zachary Carpenter, Co-Founder and CEO of VantAI, highlighted the transformative potential of induced proximity in medicine. “Induced proximity is opening a new frontier beyond protein degradation,” he said. “Halda is at the forefront of this wave, and by combining their validated RIPTAC platform with our AI-powered discovery engine, we’re building a new generation of precision medicines that can tackle previously undruggable targets and help patients who have few options.” Christian Schade, President and CEO of Halda Therapeutics, emphasized the synergy between the two platforms. “VantAI’s ability to systematically rewire protein interactions with precision is a game-changer,” he said. “This collaboration will enhance our discovery capabilities and help us deliver the next wave of selective, proximity-based therapeutics tailored to the unique biology of each disease.” Halda’s lead candidate, HLD-0915, is currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Preclinical data show that oral administration of HLD-0915 leads to tumor shrinkage and reduced PSA levels, with strong efficacy even in drug-resistant models and a favorable therapeutic index. VantAI is advancing a new paradigm in drug discovery by mapping dynamic protein interaction networks in 3D using AI and structural proteomics. Its platform generates vast amounts of interactomics data, enabling the identification of novel therapeutic opportunities by rewiring cellular circuits. Halda Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing RIPTAC therapeutics designed to overcome resistance mechanisms in cancer. Its innovative modality is being evaluated in solid tumors and supported by a team with deep expertise in drug discovery and clinical development. For more information, visit www.vant.ai and www.haldatx.com.