Since its founding in 2019, AQEMIA has established itself as a key French player in pharmaceutical research. Its innovative technology, combining artificial intelligence and advanced physics, is reshaping drug discovery by delivering unprecedented speed and precision.
From academic origins to deeptech startup
AQEMIA’s story began in 2013, when Maximilien Levesque, a numerical theorist at CNRS and ENS-PSL, developed advanced numerical models. After postdoctoral studies at Oxford, Cambridge, and Sorbonne University, he identified a promising connection between his research and drug discovery. This insight led him to participate in the 2017 Start-Ulm competition, organized by ENS alumni, where the project’s commercial potential was validated, setting the stage for its transition from academic research to a deeptech enterprise.
During this time, Levesque met Olivier Vaury, a former ENS alumnus and future business angel, who played a pivotal role in AQEMIA’s growth. The addition of Emmanuelle Martiano, a former BCG consultant with a decade of experience, marked a critical milestone in building AQEMIA’s foundations.
In early 2019, the spin-off officially launched with the support of PSL Valorisation, a program dedicated to nurturing innovative projects. Shortly thereafter, AQEMIA secured its first funding round, backed by the PSL Innovation Fund, enabling the company to kick-start its operations.
Technology 10,000 times faster
AQEMIA’s groundbreaking advantage lies in its ability to predict therapeutic molecule efficacy with unparalleled speed. While traditional market leaders take months for such evaluations, AQEMIA can assess one million molecules in just one day—10,000 times faster than competitors.
This technological leap is powered by robust algorithms combining artificial intelligence, statistical physics, and quantum physics. Specializing in oncology, AQEMIA competes with American giants such as RECURSION, INSILICO MEDICINE, RELAY THERAPEUTICS, and SCHRÖDINGER. Among French peers, QUBIT PHARMACEUTICALS and OWKIN are notable players in this domain.
A strategic partnership with Sanofi
From the outset, AQEMIA attracted the interest of major pharmaceutical companies. In 2020, the company partnered with Sanofi to deploy its technology in the search for COVID-19 treatments. This collaboration was a major endorsement of AQEMIA’s scientific and commercial relevance. SANOFI also supported OWKIN, investing over €180 million in the competing startup in 2021.
International expansion and funding milestones
In 2024, AQEMIA raised €38 million in a funding round led by Cathay Innovation, with continued support from historical investors Wendel, Bpifrance Large Venture, Eurazeo, and Elaia. The fully equity-based financing aims to:
- Double the workforce to 120 employees by the end of 2025.
- Strengthen international expansion with a new London office.
- Prepare for its first clinical trials by the end of 2025.
This latest round brings AQEMIA’s total funding to €98.1 million since its inception, cementing its position as a leader in AI-driven pharmaceutical innovation.
