ByteDance is spinning off its AI drug discovery business into a separate company that will raise its own funding — though the TikTok parent will continue to hold a controlling stake. The new entity will absorb the core team, algorithms, technology platform, and early-stage drug pipeline assets. Led by Liu Kai, a 50-person team of AI4S (AI for Science) algorithm experts and experienced pharmaceutical researchers will drive the new company. The team has already integrated an internal protein structure prediction group, which previously released molecular structure prediction models like Protenix and Seedfold. The new company will continue to receive computing support from Volcengine, ByteDance's cloud arm.