Top Drug Development Startups in 2026

The LUM System was designed by leading engineers and scientists in partnership with surgeons from academic and medical centers as an integrated system with three unified components: drug, device and decision software to guide cancer surgeons in the detection and removal of cancer cells in real-time during surgery. The LUM System includes three integrated components: a fluorescent optical contrast agent that is cancer- and immuno-activated, a novel hand-held imaging device that instantly scans the cavity walls to view the fluorescent cells with single-cell detection, and proprietary decision software that displays the image instantly on a monitor to guide surgical removal of cancerous tissue.

OUR STORY For decades, patients and caregivers have experienced firsthand that only a select few ALS patients have access to the best clinics, testing and treatment options. We were told not to waste our time trying to understand our particular version of ALS but instead accept a care system and generic therapies that did nothing to change the outcome of the disease. Like cancer before, a better way is now possible for all ALS patients. Thanks to advances in science, technology and computational analytics we are beginning to be able to identify and treat each patient’s unique disease. Synapticure was built by leading patient and caregiver advocates alongside leading ALS clinicians, biotech executives and telemedicine executives to bring the ALS care and treatment experience into the 21st century.

Our physics-based computational platform integrates differentiated solutions for predictive modeling, data analytics, and collaboration to enable rapid exploration of chemical space. The Schrödinger platform is deployed by industry leaders worldwide for drug discovery, as well as for materials science in fields as diverse as aerospace, energy, semiconductors, oil and gas, automotive, and electronics displays. The platform also powers our own drug discovery efforts, from target identification to hit discovery to lead optimization. It also drives our research collaborations to develop novel medicines for critical public health needs. With more than 150 Ph.D. scientists on our team, we invest heavily in R&D. We’ve published over 400 peer-reviewed papers that demonstrate the strength of our physics-based approaches, and we’re continually pushing the limits of computer modeling.

Olema is a preclinical biotechnology company developing new drugs for the treatment and prevention of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. The company focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted therapies for women's cancers. It leverages the knowledge of the molecular action of the ER to design compounds that are superior to both the current drugs and those in development. Olema leverages their deep understanding of endocrine-driven cancers, nuclear receptors, and mechanisms of acquired resistance with the goal of transforming the standard of care for pre- and post-menopausal women living with cancer by developing more convenient and effective therapies.