Bioptimus, a newly established generative AI startup based in Paris, has announced the successful closure of a $35 million seed funding round. This funding is aimed at advancing the development of its AI foundational model, with a specialized focus on the field of biology.
The uniqueness of Bioptimus lies in its targeted application of AI models specifically tailored for biological research. Recognizing the complexities of accessing training data in the realm of biology, where sensitive clinical data is not readily available, Bioptimus aims to leverage its expertise to navigate these challenges effectively.
Led by Sofinnova Partners, the seed round saw participation from a consortium of investors including Bpifrance’s Large Venture fund, Frst, Cathay Innovation, Headline, Hummingbird, NJF Capital, Owkin, Top Harvest Capital, and Xavier Niel.
At the helm of Bioptimus is Jean-Philippe Vert, who serves as co-founder and executive chairman in a non-operational capacity. With extensive experience as the Chief R&D Officer at Owkin, a leading French biotech unicorn specializing in AI-driven drug discovery and diagnostics, Vert brings invaluable insights to Bioptimus.
Rodolphe Jenatton, Bioptimus’s CTO, also contributes significant expertise, having previously held a senior research scientist position at Google. Additionally, several co-founders of Bioptimus boast backgrounds as former researchers at Google DeepMind.
Partnering with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Bioptimus has secured access to AWS’s robust infrastructure for training its AI models. This strategic partnership underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive advancements in biological research.
While Bioptimus operates as a separate entity from Owkin, its parent company, the two entities share synergies. Bioptimus’s singular focus on developing foundational AI models for biology complements Owkin’s broader objectives in drug discovery and diagnostics.
With a well-funded seed round and strategic partnerships in place, Bioptimus is poised to embark on its mission of revolutionizing biological research through AI-driven innovation. As the company progresses, it aims to contribute significantly to disease diagnosis, precision medicine, and the development of new biomolecules for medical and environmental applications.
