Antiverse, a biotech startup based in Cardiff, recently announced that it has secured $4.6 million in seed funding. This latest round of funding was led by i&i Biotech Fund and Kadmos Capital, along with support from existing investors such as Innospark Ventures, UKI2S, Tensor Ventures, and AngelHub. With this new injection of capital, Antiverse has now raised a total of $10.1 million since its founding in 2017.
The company specializes in antibody discovery and is dedicated to speeding up drug development processes by leveraging structural biology, machine learning, and medicine. Antiverse was part of Cambridge’s Accelerate Plus Cohort 15 in 2018, a program designed to assist startups in raising capital.
The funding will be used to grow Antiverse’s laboratory and machine learning teams, further the development of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels, and continue collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Additionally, Antiverse has expanded its operations by opening new facilities in Boston, Massachusetts, and Prague, Czech Republic.
One of the key aspects of Antiverse’s approach is its use of machine learning to design antibodies for complex cases, providing customized solutions for patients. Innospark Ventures, led by Indian American venture capitalist Dr. Venkat Srinivasan, expressed confidence in Antiverse’s innovative methods, praising the company’s ability to efficiently navigate the antibody universe and tackle challenging GPCR targets with the potential to impact major diseases.
Dr. Srinivasan, a strong advocate for AI-driven advancements and the author of “The Intelligent Enterprise in the Era of Big Data,” believes in the power of technology for positive change. His investment in Antiverse reflects his commitment to supporting companies that harness AI for the greater good.
Founded by CEO Murat Tunaboylu and CTO Ben Holland, Antiverse is on a mission to revolutionize computational antibody design technology. Their goal is to streamline the process from target identification to functional antibody creation, reducing the timeline to just six months.
In conclusion, Antiverse’s recent funding success highlights the growing interest in AI-driven biotech solutions and the potential for innovative startups to make a significant impact on drug development and patient care. With the support of investors like Innospark Ventures and a dedicated team behind them, Antiverse is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of biotechnology and improving healthcare outcomes for individuals around the world.
