At the center of Locus Pharmaceuticals' mission is discovering and developing drug treatments using a technology platform that integrates virtual drug design, medicinal chemistry, and biology. Through its Ansaris division the company researches small molecule treatments for a number of illnesses including HIV, cancer, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. The company aims to develop drug candidates in-house and partner with other drugmakers to co-develop drugs. Locus counts Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research and Ono Pharmaceuticals among its partners. The privately-held company is led by president Joan Lau. Investors include Norvartis Bioventures and founding investor, Prism Venture Partners.