By Fineline Cube 
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd. (HKG: 6887) and Xtalpi Inc. (HKG: 2228) announced plans to establish a joint venture (JV) to build an AI‑driven drug research and development platform. The collaboration aims to create a “Design‑Build‑Test‑Learn” R&D closed loop leveraging Xtalpi’s automated experimental technology and Sunshine Lake’s multi‑target non‑clinical data assets.
Partnership Structure & Strategic Terms
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Companies | Sunshine Lake Pharma (6887.HK) / Xtalpi Inc. (2228.HK) |
| Structure | Joint Venture (JV) with joint laboratory |
| Focus Area | Autoimmune diseases (primary indication) |
| Technology | AI‑driven automation, PB‑PK prediction models, AI drug synthesis |
| Location | Shenzhen (leveraging Xtalpi’s automated platform deployment) |
| Business Model | Model‑as‑a‑Service (MaaS) for academia and industry |
| Key Assets | HEC‑Syn AI synthesis model, HEC‑Pharm AI formulation model, PB‑PK large model |
Technology Platform & Innovation
- R&D Closed Loop: “Design‑Build‑Test‑Learn” automation integrating Xtalpi’s experimental robotics with Sunshine Lake’s biological data
- AI Models:
- PB‑PK Prediction: Large model benchmarked against leading commercial software for pharmacokinetic simulation
- HEC‑Syn: AI drug synthesis large model for route optimization
- HEC‑Pharm: AI formulation large model for dosage form development
- Data Advantage: Sunshine Lake’s high‑quality multi‑target non‑clinical data combined with Xtalpi’s algorithm platform and large‑model training capabilities
- Global Reach: Xtalpi’s commercial network will promote Sunshine Lake’s AI models internationally
Infrastructure & Commercial Model
- AI Supercomputing Platform: Joint build‑out based on “computing power support + data development + ecosystem sharing” model
- MaaS Offering: Collaboration outcomes available to academia and industry via Model‑as‑a‑Service business model, monetizing data assets and AI products
- Ecosystem Access: Open platform approach transforms proprietary R&D tools into revenue‑generating services for third‑party biopharma companies
- JV Operations: Sunshine Lake to advance candidate drugs discovered through the platform; Xtalpi provides automation infrastructure
Market Impact & Strategic Outlook
- China AI Drug Discovery Market: Valued at ¥12 billion (~US$1.7 billion) in 2025, projected to reach ¥45 billion by 2030 (CAGR ≈ 30%)
- Autoimmune Focus: Targets high‑value indications with complex target profiles where AI‑driven multi‑parameter optimization offers distinct advantages
- Revenue Diversification: MaaS model creates recurring revenue stream beyond traditional drug development, reducing reliance on single‑asset risk
- Competitive Positioning: Positions Sunshine Lake as an AI‑native pharma company while expanding Xtalpi’s platform revenue beyond software licensing
- Timeline: Joint laboratory operational Q2 2026; first AI‑designed candidates expected to enter IND‑enabling studies by 2027
Forward‑Looking Statements
This brief contains forward‑looking statements regarding the joint venture’s operational timeline, technology development, and revenue potential from AI‑driven drug discovery. Actual results may differ due to technical integration challenges, market adoption of MaaS offerings, and competitive dynamics in AI pharma.-Fineline Info & Tech