AI Binder Sprint
A fixed-scope, 6-8 week protein binder discovery program delivering experimentally validated binders from your target structure
Built for biotech teams that need binders fast
R&D teams building a binder pipeline
Companies validating a target or building a pipeline that needs a binder to advance into IND-enabling studies, secure a partnership, or de-risk a program.
Teams without display infrastructure
Organizations that do not have in-house yeast display, FACS sorting, or NGS sequencing capabilities but need the experimental validation that only display provides.
Timeline-constrained programs
Projects with a defined target and a hard deadline: conference readout, partnership data package, or a funding milestone that depends on having binding data in hand.
Novel or difficult targets
Targets where conventional library approaches have failed or where no existing binder scaffold provides a starting point. De novo design is strongest exactly here — including intracellular targets, which we screen by fusing to membrane anchors on our display platform.
IP and freedom-to-operate considerations
De novo designed binders are novel sequences with no derivation from existing antibody germlines or proprietary libraries. This simplifies IP strategy and freedom-to-operate analysis compared to binders derived from immunization or licensed scaffold platforms.
What's included in the AI Binder Sprint
Included
Not included (available as add-ons)
How the binder sprint runs
Three phases over 6-8 weeks. Milestone check-ins at the end of each phase.
Design
Target structure intake, hotspot definition, RFdiffusion / BindCraft / Boltzgen campaigns, in silico filtering and structural validation.
Build and screen
Gene synthesis, cloning into display construct, yeast or mammalian display preparation, selection rounds (FACS or MACS).
Analyze and deliver
NGS sequencing of sorted populations, hit calling and enrichment analysis, ranked hit list, final report delivery.
What you provide to start the sprint
The sprint is designed to minimize demands on your team. Here is what we need from you to start.
Sprint questions
Can I run a sprint on a target with no existing structure? +
We can work with high-confidence AlphaFold2 or AF3 models. Targets with no structural model are assessed case-by-case. Contact us to discuss feasibility before applying.
What is the expected hit rate? +
Validated hit rates vary by target difficulty, epitope accessibility, and scaffold format. Pilot data on soluble targets have yielded 2-12 confirmed binders per 1,000 screened candidates. We assess feasibility on a per-target basis before scoping the sprint.
Can I extend the sprint with additional selection rounds? +
Yes. Additional FACS rounds, affinity maturation campaigns, and downstream characterization (SPR, BLI) are available as extensions to the base sprint scope. These are scoped separately after the first round of hits is identified.
Is a sprint appropriate for intracellular targets? +
Yes. Intracellular targets are screened by fusing the target protein to a membrane anchor on our display platform, presenting it on the cell surface for selection. This allows the same FACS-based workflow used for extracellular targets. Contact us to discuss your specific target and display strategy.
How are project results kept confidential? +
All projects run under mutual NDA. Target structures, designed sequences, and screening data are not shared or used outside your project. We do not retain client sequence data beyond project delivery.
Spots are limited. Projects start on a rolling basis.
Apply now to discuss your target and confirm availability. We will assess feasibility and send you a proposed SOW within 5 business days.