LabGenius, a London-based startup which combines AI, DNA synthesis and robotics to discover high-value biological molecules, has raised $3.6m (£2.6m).
The Seed round was led by Kindred Capital and Acequia Capital, and drew support from Berggruen Holdings Ltd, Backed VC, Beast Ventures and System.One.
Charlie Songhurst, the former head of corporate strategy at Microsoft and Tom McInerney, an angel investor, also participated.
LabGenius says it will use the cash to open a purpose-built R&D facility in London and continue developing EVA – its autonomous AI-driven evolution machine.
“EVA is a Silicon Scientist hooked up to a bank of liquid handling robots. By combining intelligence with empirical exploration, EVA is able to iteratively learn through conducting its own scientific experiments,” said LabGenius founder and CEO Dr James Field.
“Right now, EVA is unpicking Nature’s design rules with unparalleled speed and dexterity. Once equipped with this knowledge, EVA will give us the ability to engineer life with unprecedented control. Critically, this technology will give us the ability to harness new materials and therapies that we do not or even cannot fully understand.”
Leila Zegna, founding partner at Kindred Capital, said the firm was delighted to support LabGenius.
“The company is breaking new ground at the interface of synthetic biology and data science and the potential of their technology is vast,” Zegna concluded.
Check out our UK tech investment tracker for the latest industry deals.