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About Vernus AI
Vernus AI integrates artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and physical simulation to build ReAIX, a platform designed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry. With expert-trained AI Agents and digital twin technology, ReAIX turns complex R&D and process challenges into workflows that can be analyzed, simulated, and continuously optimized. From small molecules and biologics to formulation development, it helps pharmaceutical teams explore critical conditions and reduce development and scale-up risk, moving from repeated trial and error based on experience to finding answers with data and simulation, so that every process decision has a scientific basis.
Founded in 2025 and headquartered in Taipei, with an office in Singapore, the company was co-founded by Dr. Jimmy Yen-Chu Lin, former CEO of Insilico Medicine Taiwan, together with Professor Gonçalo Bernardes of the University of Cambridge and Associate Professor Tiago Rodrigues of the University of Lisbon. The founding team brings expertise in AI, computational biology, chemical biology, and medicinal chemistry, and has completed multiple projects with pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan and overseas.
In 2026, Vernus AI completed a US$8.4 million seed round and was selected for the AppWorks, Google Project Hatcher × SparkLabs, and TAI1 accelerator programs. It has also been selected, from startups around the world, for the 4th Google for Startups Gemini Startup Forum, and is a member of NVIDIA Inception.
Founders
Computational chemists building for manufacturing
Jimmy Yen-Chu Lin, PhD
Founder & CEO
Jimmy is a seasoned leader in AI-driven drug discovery (AIDD) and computer-aided drug design (CADD), with a strong track record in advancing new drug programs. As the former CEO of Insilico Medicine Taiwan, he has led groundbreaking work at the intersection of AI and quantum research and successfully driven multiple strategic business deals. A recognized thought leader in the AIDD landscape, Jimmy also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taiwan. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Department of Pharmacy at National Taiwan University (NTU) and his PhD from ETH Zurich in computational chemistry. He completed postdoctoral research at Harvard University and A*STAR.
Gonçalo Bernardes, PhD
Co-founder & Advisor
Gonçalo, a Tenure Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, is a globally recognized leader in chemical biology with over 11 years of world-class expertise. He has co-founded six companies, including one in clinical stage. Formerly a Senior Fellow at Flagship Pioneering, he serves as a Senior Advisor to many pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Gonçalo has authored over 190 peer-reviewed publications and holds 23 patents.
Tiago Rodrigues, PhD
Co-founder & Advisor
Tiago, an Associate Professor at the University of Lisbon and full member of the Acceleration Consortium at the University of Toronto, is a distinguished expert in AI Drug Discovery (AIDD) and medicinal chemistry with over 17 years of experience. He is also the Co-founder of TargTex SA. Tiago has earned the Young Chemist Medal from the Portuguese Chemical Society and was the most meritorious runner-up for the European Federation Medicinal Chemistry Prize. In 2024, he was recognized among the World’s Top 2% Scientists in medicinal and organic chemistry.
Vernus AI unites senior talent across drug development and AI, with core members bringing 10+ years of industry experience. Trained at world-leading universities and research institutes, our scientists have built their careers at global pharma companies, CDMOs, and biotechs, with deep expertise in AI, bioinformatics, computational chemistry, antibody and protein engineering, and drug and process development, spanning preclinical research, scale-up, and tech transfer. Our business team brings a long track record with global pharma in business development, licensing, and strategic partnerships. We speak both science and industry, and we build technology that moves from model to manufacturing floor.