Alan Nafiiev
Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder | Receptor.AI
Dr. Alan Nafiiev is a visionary Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Receptor.AI, a pioneering drug discovery company established in 2021. With a Ph.D. in Data Science from Kyiv Polytechnic University, Alan brings over a decade of expertise in leading AI-driven drug discovery projects and designing cloud systems tailored for the life sciences industry. His specialization in integrating AI, molecular simulations, and advanced experimental techniques has been instrumental in developing Receptor.AI's innovative hybrid intelligence drug discovery platform. This platform has enabled the company to establish a robust presence in therapeutic areas such as immunology, oncology, and neurology.
Under Alan's leadership, Receptor.AI has successfully initiated over 40 drug discovery projects, forging strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Lubrizol, Novo Nordisk, and Ono Pharma. These collaborations have facilitated the rapid progression of proprietary programs focusing on immune receptors to the lead optimization stage and have driven the company's revenue to €2.5 million over nine months in 2024. Alan's strategic execution includes designing and implementing Receptor.AI's modular AI drug discovery platform, which streamlines preclinical drug discovery processes from hit identification to IND submission for challenging targets. His efforts have positioned Receptor.AI as a leader in targeting protein-protein interaction (PPI) interfaces, addressing areas traditionally dominated by antibody therapies.
Before founding Receptor.AI, Alan served as the AI Research Lead at the Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine from March 2019 to January 2021, where he managed projects utilizing AI and computer vision to explore cellular mechanisms such as quality assessment, lifespan changes, proliferation patterns, and differentiation processes. Additionally, he held strategic advisory roles at UTIQ Group and Trans Trade Holding, where he developed ERP architectures, optimized business processes, and implemented automation projects that enhanced operational efficiencies across multiple legal entities and departments. Earlier in his career, as Operational Director at Panzor Cybersecurity Inc., Alan led the development of Panzor Cloud Antivirus, managed R&D teams, and integrated AI technologies for cyber threat detection, contributing to the company's recognition as a top global antivirus solution.
Alan's entrepreneurial journey started in 2019 with an idea to create a startup aimed at treating people through DNA reprogramming, which paved the way for his more successful venture, Receptor.AI. According to analysts at McKinsey Global Institute, the economic benefit for the pharmaceutical industry from using AI in drug development is estimated to be between $60-110 billion annually, aligning with Receptor.AI's mission to make significant contributions to the industry.
Dr. Nafiiev has also made substantial contributions to the field through his extensive list of publications, which reflect his commitment to advancing AI methodologies in both cybersecurity and drug discovery. His work includes notable studies on machine learning methods for detecting malicious files and innovative approaches to protein-ligand docking and drug-target affinity prediction.
Alan is recognized for his strategic approach and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams effectively. He operates proficiently in dynamic environments, consistently delivering results that enhance drug discovery and AI applications. His entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to scientific rigor have been instrumental in driving Receptor.AI's success and expanding its impact within the pharmaceutical industry.
Under Alan's leadership, Receptor.AI has successfully initiated over 40 drug discovery projects, forging strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Lubrizol, Novo Nordisk, and Ono Pharma. These collaborations have facilitated the rapid progression of proprietary programs focusing on immune receptors to the lead optimization stage and have driven the company's revenue to €2.5 million over nine months in 2024. Alan's strategic execution includes designing and implementing Receptor.AI's modular AI drug discovery platform, which streamlines preclinical drug discovery processes from hit identification to IND submission for challenging targets. His efforts have positioned Receptor.AI as a leader in targeting protein-protein interaction (PPI) interfaces, addressing areas traditionally dominated by antibody therapies.
Before founding Receptor.AI, Alan served as the AI Research Lead at the Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine from March 2019 to January 2021, where he managed projects utilizing AI and computer vision to explore cellular mechanisms such as quality assessment, lifespan changes, proliferation patterns, and differentiation processes. Additionally, he held strategic advisory roles at UTIQ Group and Trans Trade Holding, where he developed ERP architectures, optimized business processes, and implemented automation projects that enhanced operational efficiencies across multiple legal entities and departments. Earlier in his career, as Operational Director at Panzor Cybersecurity Inc., Alan led the development of Panzor Cloud Antivirus, managed R&D teams, and integrated AI technologies for cyber threat detection, contributing to the company's recognition as a top global antivirus solution.
Alan's entrepreneurial journey started in 2019 with an idea to create a startup aimed at treating people through DNA reprogramming, which paved the way for his more successful venture, Receptor.AI. According to analysts at McKinsey Global Institute, the economic benefit for the pharmaceutical industry from using AI in drug development is estimated to be between $60-110 billion annually, aligning with Receptor.AI's mission to make significant contributions to the industry.
Dr. Nafiiev has also made substantial contributions to the field through his extensive list of publications, which reflect his commitment to advancing AI methodologies in both cybersecurity and drug discovery. His work includes notable studies on machine learning methods for detecting malicious files and innovative approaches to protein-ligand docking and drug-target affinity prediction.
Alan is recognized for his strategic approach and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams effectively. He operates proficiently in dynamic environments, consistently delivering results that enhance drug discovery and AI applications. His entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to scientific rigor have been instrumental in driving Receptor.AI's success and expanding its impact within the pharmaceutical industry.