Core Insights - Intellicule, a software company specializing in determining 3D structures of biomolecules using cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), has received a $217,941 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop software technology that could impact precision medicine [1][2]. Company Overview - Intellicule was launched in summer 2024 and was previously known as Molecular Intelligence. The company focuses on enhancing drug discovery through advanced software tools [6]. - The company is led by Daisuke Kihara, a professor at Purdue University, along with other founders including Charles Christoffer and Genki Terashi [3]. Technology and Methodology - The Phase I SBIR project aims to improve structural modeling and analysis for drug discovery using cryo-EM by employing state-of-the-art deep-learning techniques [5][6]. - Deep learning is central to Intellicule's software, enabling the detection of atoms in low-resolution cryo-EM images, which is typically challenging [6]. Industry Impact - Cryo-EM is increasingly adopted by biotech and pharmaceutical companies for its ability to provide detailed structural insights into biological targets, although achieving high resolution better than 3 angstroms (Å) remains a challenge [4]. - The software developed by Intellicule aims to streamline the modeling process, reduce errors, and make cryo-EM more accessible to nonspecialists in drug discovery efforts [5]. Institutional Support - The project is part of Purdue's One Health initiative, which integrates research on human, animal, and plant health [7]. - Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization supports the economic development initiatives of Purdue University, having finalized 145 deals and received 290 patents in fiscal year 2024 [7].