Bill Gates invests in computational drug discovery firm

Nimbus Discovery has signed up Microsoft CEO Bill Gates and Richard Friesner, co-founder of chemical simulation software developer Schrodinger, as investors.

Massachusetts-based Nimbus uses computational chemistry to identify drug candidates for ‘difficult-to-treat’ diseases including cancers, inflammatory disorders and metabolic conditions.

Nimbus announced the news as part of an extension to its first financing round, explaining that it “follows a $10m investment by Bill Gates in Schrödinger to accelerate R&D efforts.”

Chairman Bruce Booth explained that: “Their investment recognizes the unique opportunity Nimbus has to leverage Schrödinger’s 20-year technology investment with a virtually-integrated, globally distributed R&D approach.”

Nimbus established an exclusive partnership with Schrodinger in 2010, under which it has exclusive rights to use of customized software packages and support services.