MegaRobo Technologies announced on October 19, 2026, the launch of Poreva Open, a global artificial intelligence protein design competition aimed at evaluating more than 10,000 computer-generated designs in a standardized wet lab.
Standardized testing and biological targets
MegaRobo stated that the competition is open to teams from academic institutions, research organizations, university laboratories, biotechnology companies, and AI firms worldwide. Participants are permitted to use any models, algorithms, or design approaches.
All submissions will undergo standardized, double-blind experimental evaluation at MegaRobo's Megalaxy Lab. The company said that full experimental results and data, including information on unsuccessful designs, will be made publicly available following the competition, subject to intellectual property and compliance rules.
The inaugural competition features five challenges, with the first three focusing on EGFR, TNF-α, and GLP-1R targets, while two more will be disclosed in a second round. Experimental validation will assess metrics such as binding affinity, thermal stability, cross-species reactivity, pH selectivity, nonspecific binding, and cellular function, with selected candidates potentially advancing to tests in biological models such as organoids.
Competition timeline and prizes
Poreva Open is offering US$250,000 (RMB 1.7 million) in total cash prizes, while Megalaxy Lab is providing an additional US$150,000 (RMB 1 million) in wet-lab validation credits at no charge to entrants. MegaRobo noted that the top 10 participants may also have opportunities to secure up to US$1.5 million in potential investment.
Registration and submissions for Challenges 1 through 3 are open from October 19 to November 18, 2026, with submissions for Challenges 4 and 5 scheduled from November 9 to December 8, 2026. Experimental validation will take place by March 2027, followed by the publication of experimental data, a team roadshow, and an awards ceremony in April 2027.
According to the announcement, the competition is supported by Tencent Cloud, Twist Bioscience, Galatek, Vazyme, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Digital Technology, Future Capital, and Innoangel Fund, among others.
Key facts and where they come from
- MegaRobo Technologies launched Poreva Open, a global AI protein design competition planning to evaluate over 10,000 designs in wet-lab experiments.
MegaRobo Technologies, a technology company building "Intelligence Infrastructure for the Physical World", launched Poreva Open, a new global AI protein design competition challenging teams worldwide to put AI-generated designs to the test.
- Submissions will undergo double-blind evaluation at Megalaxy Lab, and data on both successful and unsuccessful designs will be made public.
All submissions will undergo standardized, double-blind experimental evaluation at MegaRobo's Megalaxy Lab. Results and experimental data, including data on unsuccessful designs, will be made publicly available after the competition
- The first three challenges target EGFR, TNF-α, and GLP-1R, with two more challenges to follow in a second round.
The first three challenges focus on EGFR, TNF-α and GLP-1R, with two additional challenges to be announced in the second round.
- Poreva Open offers $250,000 in cash prizes, $150,000 in wet-lab validation credits, and potential investment access up to $1.5 million for top teams.
Poreva Open is offering a total of US$250,000 in cash prizes (RMB 1.7 million). Megalaxy Lab will provide an additional US$150,000 (RMB 1 million) in wet-lab validation credits
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