“AI-Designed GLP-1 Peptides Surpass Semaglutide!” A small Canadian company called ImmunoPrecise Antibodies claimed their artificial intelligence had designed peptides matching or beating Ozempic’s active ingredient—in just two weeks.
For context, Ozempic and Wegovy (both containing semaglutide) generated over $21 billion for Novo Nordisk in 2023. These drugs have transformed diabetes and obesity treatment, creating a market projected to reach $100-400 billion by 2030. If a tiny biotech with AI truly cracked the code to creating superior alternatives in two weeks, it would revolutionize drug discovery.
But did they really? After diving deep into the claims, company history, and scientific evidence, a more complex picture emerges—one that reveals important lessons about AI hype in drug discovery.
The Claims vs. The Evidence
What ImmunoPrecise Actually Demonstrated:
- Five AI-designed peptides tested in laboratory dishes (in vitro)
- Two showed receptor activation matching or exceeding semaglutide
- Results verified by an unnamed “independent third party”
- Achievement announced via press release, not scientific publication
What’s Missing:
- The validator’s identity
- Specific quantitative data
- Peer-reviewed publication
- Animal studies
- Toxicology data
- Any path toward human trials
This gap between announcement and evidence represents a fundamental challenge in evaluating AI drug discovery claims. Press releases aren’t peer review. In vitro success rarely translates to human efficacy. And “matching” an existing drug’s receptor activation is far from proving superior therapeutic value.
The Pattern of Unfulfilled Promises
ImmunoPrecise’s track record raises red flags:
2021-2022: The company repeatedly announced plans to file an IND (Investigational New Drug) application for their COVID-19 antibody cocktail, with timelines that kept shifting. The IND was never filed.
2024: After years of claiming to develop their own drugs, they quietly pivoted to being primarily a service provider, without clearly communicating this strategic change to investors.
2025: Zero clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for any ImmunoPrecise product, despite multiple partnership announcements for “clinical manufacturing.”
This pattern—big announcements followed by quiet pivots—suggests a company better at generating headlines than advancing drugs through development.
The AI Platform: Revolutionary or Evolutionary?
ImmunoPrecise’s HYFT technology claims to search 440 million biological sequences in one second, identifying drug candidates through “Universal Fingerprint” patterns. Impressive numbers, but consider:
- The core methodology exists only as a non-peer-reviewed preprint
- No independent laboratories have validated the approach
- No major pharmaceutical companies have licensed the technology despite claimed partnerships
- The company’s own assets show a $15 million impairment charge in recent financials
While the technology may have merit, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. A preprint and press releases don’t meet that bar.
Financial Reality Check
Markets often reveal truth through pricing. ImmunoPrecise trades at:
- Stock price: ~$0.85-0.93 per share
- Market cap: $32-43 million
- Recent loss: $21.5 million (Q3 2025)
- Cash burn rate: Concerning for a company with big ambitions
Two analysts maintain “Buy” ratings with $5 price targets (520% upside), but extreme optimism often signals speculation rather than fundamental value. The company’s micro-cap status and ongoing losses paint a picture far removed from breakthrough success.
The Bigger Picture: AI Drug Discovery Reality
ImmunoPrecise isn’t alone in making bold AI claims. The field is littered with unfulfilled promises:
- BenevolentAI: Their AI-designed eczema drug failed Phase 2 trials
- Exscientia: Recently “rationalized” their AI pipeline after setbacks
- Industry-wide: Zero AI-designed drugs have received FDA approval
As Generate Biomedicines CEO Mike Nally observed, many companies “rushed into the space with big promises,” creating hype cycles reminiscent of previous genomics and CRISPR bubbles.
What This Means for Patients and Investors
For Patients: Don’t expect AI-designed GLP-1 alternatives anytime soon. Even if ImmunoPrecise’s peptides work perfectly, the path from lab dish to pharmacy shelf typically takes 10-15 years and over $1 billion. Stick with proven treatments and consult your healthcare provider.
For Investors: Approach AI drug discovery claims with heavy skepticism. Look for:
- Peer-reviewed publications
- Registered clinical trials
- Partnerships with credible pharmaceutical companies
- Management teams with drug development track records
- Sufficient funding to reach meaningful milestones
The Uncomfortable Truth
ImmunoPrecise’s announcement represents legitimate early-stage research packaged as revolutionary breakthrough. Their AI may have identified interesting peptide sequences, but:
- In vitro results rarely predict human success
- No peer review means no independent validation
- Pattern of unfulfilled promises suggests execution challenges
- Limited resources threaten advancement potential
- Market position reflects skepticism, not breakthrough status
Looking Forward: Realistic Optimism
AI will eventually transform drug discovery—but not through press releases claiming overnight breakthroughs. Real progress comes from:
- Rigorous science published in peer-reviewed journals
- Systematic validation through proper clinical trials
- Transparent communication about setbacks and pivots
- Sufficient resources to navigate drug development’s long journey
ImmunoPrecise’s work may contribute incrementally to this progress. Their peptides might inspire future research. Their AI tools could help other scientists. But revolutionary breakthroughs? The evidence simply isn’t there.
The Bottom Line
When evaluating AI drug discovery claims, remember:
- Press releases aren’t peer review
- In vitro success ≠ human efficacy
- Track records matter more than technology claims
- Financial resources must match ambitions
- Real breakthroughs withstand scrutiny
ImmunoPrecise’s GLP-1 announcement exemplifies how AI hype can overshadow scientific reality. While their work has merit, characterizing early lab results as surpassing a $21 billion drug stretches credibility past its breaking point.
The future of AI in drug discovery remains bright—but that future will be built on rigorous science, not breathless press releases. As investors, patients, and citizens, we must demand evidence that matches the claims. Only then can we separate genuine breakthroughs from sophisticated marketing.
System D 