Revolutionizing Drug Discovery: Ivan de Weber's Journey from Childhood Curiosity to AI Innovation
In the ever-evolving landscape of pharmaceutical innovation, few stories are as compelling as that of Dr. Ivan de Weber, co-founder and CEO of Cortex Discovery. His journey from a contemplative child grappling with mortality to a visionary entrepreneur revolutionizing drug discovery is a testament to the power of lifelong passion and unwavering determination.
Seeds of Curiosity
De Weber's fascination with longevity took root in his early childhood. At the tender age of five or six, he vividly recalls a pivotal moment near an apple tree when he first confronted the concept of mortality. This early encounter with life's finite nature sparked a lifelong quest to extend human lifespan. Inspired by the French film "Hibernatus," young Ivan became intrigued by the possibility of preserving and reanimating life. This childhood fascination would later evolve into a serious scientific pursuit, shaping his academic and professional trajectory.
Academic Pursuits with Purpose
As de Weber progressed through his education, his focus remained steadfast. He pursued biology and medical biochemistry, always viewing his studies through the lens of potential life extension. His unconventional approach often led to thought-provoking discussions with professors, challenging the status quo of aging acceptance. One particularly striking moment occurred during his second year at university when he posed a question to a professor about manipulating biological mechanisms to extend lifespan. The professor's response - "Yeah, Mr. Weber, you might be right. But why for?" - highlighted the pervasive acceptance of aging, even within scientific circles.
De Weber's academic journey culminated in a PhD in aging genetics, a significant milestone that also exposed him to the harsh realities of traditional drug development. He realized that the pharmaceutical industry's approach to drug discovery was both time-consuming and costly, a realization that would later fuel his drive to revolutionize the field. Interestingly, de Weber's PhD was purely theoretical, a choice that allowed him to focus on his global ideas without getting bogged down in time-consuming experiments. This approach, while unconventional, set the stage for his future innovative thinking.
A Fortuitous Partnership
In a twist of fate, de Weber's childhood friend, who once dreamed of replacing humans with robots, would become his business partner. This partnership, formed 35 years after their initial meeting, would prove instrumental in bridging the gap between biology and advanced computing, setting the stage for Cortex Discovery's groundbreaking approach.
The AI Revolution in Drug Discovery
Recognizing the potential of emerging technologies, de Weber saw an opportunity to apply artificial intelligence to drug discovery. He observed the exponential growth in informatics and its gradual integration into biology and pharmaceuticals. This insight positioned Cortex Discovery at the forefront of a new era in drug development. De Weber's interest in cheminformatics, which he pursued about a decade after his PhD, played a crucial role in shaping his vision. He recognized that the field was dominated by chemists attempting to apply mathematical concepts, and he saw an opportunity to bring more sophisticated machine learning methods to bear on the problem.
Cortex Discovery: A New Paradigm
Today, Cortex Discovery stands as a testament to de Weber's vision. The company leverages cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques to model cellular biology with unprecedented accuracy. De Weber believes that their system is close to modeling most of what can be learned from a cell, potentially solving complex biological puzzles within the next decade.
What sets Cortex Discovery apart is its ability to predict over 5,000 pharmacological properties for 10,000 compounds per second on a single GPU. This unprecedented speed and accuracy have already led to significant breakthroughs, including the discovery of six compounds that showed promise against SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From COVID-19 to Longevity
While the initial focus was on COVID-19, de Weber's long-term vision is much broader. He is now working on projects aimed at extending lifespan and treating age-related diseases. Collaborations with leading universities and research institutions have led to the discovery of novel NRF2 activators and mTOR inhibitors, which have shown promising results in extending the lifespan of worms by over 33%.
De Weber's approach is holistic, targeting not just individual diseases but the underlying mechanisms of aging itself. He believes that by reducing oxidative stress, increasing DNA repair, and eliminating senescent cells, it is possible to achieve "escape velocity" – a point where the rate of aging is slowed to such an extent that humans can live indefinitely healthy lives.
The Business of Longevity
Cortex Discovery is not just a scientific endeavor; it's a business. Self-funded since its inception, the company has already secured collaborations with biotech and food supplement companies and is in negotiations with large pharmaceutical firms. De Weber's business model is based on virtual high-throughput screening, offering a fraction of the cost and time of traditional methods.
The company's unique selling point is its ability to deliver compounds that have been virtually screened and predicted to be effective, reducing the risk and cost for pharmaceutical companies. De Weber is also exploring co-development agreements, where Cortex Discovery invests in the in-silico phase, and partners invest in in-vitro testing, sharing intellectual property.
Entrepreneurial Journey
De Weber's transition from academia to entrepreneurship was driven by a desire for independence and a broader perspective. He found the academic environment too focused on narrow specializations and was eager to apply his knowledge in a more dynamic setting. His entrepreneurial journey wasn't without challenges. An early venture in DNA testing nearly took off but ultimately fell short. However, these experiences served as a practical MBA, teaching him valuable lessons about business and the importance of networking.
Looking to the Future
As we stand on the brink of this AI-driven revolution in drug discovery, de Weber's journey serves as an inspiring example of how a childhood fascination can evolve into groundbreaking scientific innovation. His story underscores the importance of interdisciplinary thinking, persistence, and the courage to challenge established norms.
With a goal to raise $10 million to scale up operations and finalize their docking technology, Cortex Discovery is poised to become a leader in the field of AI-driven drug discovery. De Weber's unwavering belief in his vision and his ability to attract top talent make him a formidable force in the race to extend human lifespan.
For young PhD students and postdocs, de Weber's advice is clear: don't shy away from business, seek out companies that align with your vision, and don't be afraid to pursue your dreams, even in the face of skepticism.
Last words
Dr. Ivan de Weber's journey from a curious child to a pioneering entrepreneur in the field of longevity is a testament to the power of perseverance and vision. With Cortex Discovery, he is not just seeking to extend human lifespan; he is challenging the very concept of mortality. As we stand on the brink of a new era in drug discovery and longevity research, Ivan de Weber's work offers hope and inspiration for a future where we can truly live longer, healthier lives.
Contact Ivan:
Biography of Dr. Ivan De Weber
Dr. Ivan De Weber is a distinguished scientist and serial entrepreneur, renowned for his pioneering work in the fields of longevity and drug discovery. With a robust academic background and a passion for extending human healthspan, Dr. De Weber has made significant contributions to biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences.
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. De Weber's academic journey began at the University of Geneva, where he earned a Master's degree in Biology, focusing on fat metabolism and mitochondrial uncoupling. His early research laid a strong foundation for his future endeavours in cellular biology and aging genetics. He furthered his studies at the same institution, obtaining a PhD in Cellular Biology with a specialisation in aging genetics, stem cells, and reproductive cloning.
Dr. De Weber attended Uppsala University to expand his interdisciplinary expertise, where he excelled in Pharmaceutical Bioinformatics. Here, he gained proficiency in pharmacology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, programming, cheminformatics, and machine learning, equipping him with the skills necessary for in-silico experiments and virtual screening in drug discovery.
A series of innovative ventures and leadership roles mark Professional Milestones Dr. De Weber's professional career. He co-founded several companies between 2004 and 2016, focusing on DNA testing and epigenetic-based nutraceuticals. His entrepreneurial spirit and scientific acumen led him to serve as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at P4M Labs, where he developed genomics and personalised medicine services.
In November 2019, Dr. De Weber co-founded The Age Tech, a company dedicated to formulating epigenetic-based anti-aging cosmetics. His work at The Age Tech underscores his commitment to applying scientific advancements to practical, consumer-oriented solutions.
Cortex Discovery
In April 2021, Dr. De Weber co-founded Cortex Discovery, where he currently serves as CEO. Cortex Discovery is at the forefront of revolutionising preclinical drug discovery by applying advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The company's deep-learning model, built on a vast database of biological experiments, predicts therapeutic effects, off-target effects, and pharmacological properties with unprecedented accuracy. This innovative approach enables the rapid identification of high-quality compounds, significantly accelerating the drug development process.
Co-host of this episode:
Gabriel Cian, serial tech entrepreneur, cofounder CEO at Ikare.ai & cofounder-President at Foudnation 206
In a previous episode, we had a nice interview with Gabriel, which I invite you to discover here: https://www.episteme-entrepreneur.com/blog/gabriel-cian-foundation-2060-longevity
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