Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in drug discovery, with researchers using machine learning models to design new therapeutic molecules. Latent Labs, a newly launched AI foundation model builder, has entered this space with a total funding of $50 million. The company focuses on developing programmable biology tools that aim to create novel proteins for medical applications. With a combination of expertise from DeepMind and other leading technology firms, Latent Labs aims to assist biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in enhancing their drug design capabilities.
Latent Labs is building on advancements in AI-driven protein design, a field that has seen significant progress in recent years. DeepMind’s AlphaFold solved the long-standing challenge of protein structure prediction, demonstrating how machine learning can be used to understand biological processes. Latent Labs seeks to extend these efforts by applying generative AI techniques to design proteins from scratch, focusing on creating molecules with improved molecular properties for therapeutic use.
How Does Latent Labs’ Platform Assist Drug Discovery?
The company’s platform is designed to provide researchers with AI-driven tools to computationally generate new therapeutic molecules, such as antibodies and enzymes. By leveraging these tools, pharmaceutical firms can potentially accelerate drug development timelines and improve success rates. The ability to design proteins with enhanced attributes, such as increased stability and affinity, may enable the development of personalized medicines that target previously difficult conditions.
Who Is Supporting Latent Labs’ Growth?
Latent Labs has attracted considerable investor interest, with a $40 million Series A funding round co-led by Radical Ventures and Sofinnova Partners. Other participants include Flying Fish, Isomer, 8VC, Kindred Capital, and Pillar VC. Additionally, several well-known figures from the technology and AI community, such as Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Chief Scientist Jeff Dean and Cohere founder Aidan Gomez, have backed the company. These investors see potential in Latent Labs’ approach to integrating AI with biotechnology to develop new therapeutic solutions.
Simon Kohl, Latent Labs’ founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of AI-driven solutions in drug discovery, noting that while many companies pursue advanced therapeutic molecules, not all have the resources to develop AI models for the task.
“That’s where Latent Labs comes in. We push the frontiers of generative biology, giving our partners instant access to tools that accelerate their drug design programs.”
The company’s leadership comprises individuals with backgrounds at DeepMind, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Google, Stability AI, and other organizations focused on AI applications in science. With offices in London and San Francisco, Latent Labs conducts experimental validation of its AI-driven models within its own research facilities.
The use of AI in protein design has been expanding, with companies such as Isomorphic Labs and Recursion Pharmaceuticals also exploring similar approaches. While AlphaFold’s breakthrough in protein structure prediction paved the way, the challenge now lies in designing entirely new proteins with specific therapeutic properties. Latent Labs aims to contribute to this progress by providing computational tools that streamline the drug development process.
AI-powered drug discovery continues to attract interest from pharmaceutical firms seeking to optimize their research and development processes. While challenges remain in validating AI-generated molecules and ensuring regulatory compliance, companies like Latent Labs are working to refine the technology. By offering computational platforms that design proteins with specific attributes, Latent Labs provides an additional resource for pharmaceutical companies striving to develop effective therapies. As AI models improve, researchers may gain more precise control over molecular properties, leading to more targeted drug discovery efforts.
