Biotech firm Imperagen secured a £5 million ($6.7 million) seed funding round, spearheaded by PXN Ventures and featuring participation from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone. Established in 2021 by Manchester Institute of Biotechnology scientists Dr. Andrew Currin, Dr. Tim Eyes, and Dr. Andy Almond, the company emerged from the university.
Imperagen aims to enhance enzyme engineering, making it faster, more efficient, and cost-effective compared to the current trial-and-error approach.
The company employs three key technologies to transform enzyme engineering. It utilizes quantum physics-based simulations rather than traditional laboratory enzyme mutations. This involves predicting enzyme variant behaviors through advanced quantum physics modeling, analyzing millions of mutations. This data is then integrated into custom AI models tailored to Imperagen’s enzyme challenges. Additionally, Imperagen uses robotics and automation for experimental data generation, which feeds back into the AI, creating a closed-loop simulation.
Enzymes play a critical role in various industries, particularly pharmaceuticals, due to their significance in drug development. Imperagen and its peers aim to accelerate enzyme engineering, potentially benefiting areas like drug discovery. Enzymes are also vital in food, biofuels, and agriculture. Sustainability experts are exploring enzymes and related AI technologies to enhance industrial production and manufacturing sustainability.
Competing entities include Biomatter, Cradle Bio, and Absci.
Guy Levy-Yurista was appointed CEO of Imperagen. In an interview with TechCrunch, he noted the current shortcomings in enzyme engineering, where even some AI-driven technologies struggle to scale industrially.
Imperagen intends to make enzyme development “faster, more reliable, and commercially accessible,” aiding companies in launching improved bio-based products without prolonged timelines and uncertainties, according to Levy-Yurista.
Levy-Yurista brings expertise in AI, life sciences, and enterprise technology. While the founders stay with the company, Levy-Yurista will advance its new technologies, including a vertical AI infrastructure for biocatalysis, and scale its AI strategy, commercial models, and industrial partnerships.
To date, the company has raised £8.5 million ($11.42 million), with the new funds earmarked for hiring AI specialists, research and development, expanding lab capabilities, and establishing a go-to-market function within two years.
“Imperagen aspires to broaden the use of engineered enzymes, supporting industries in producing cleaner, safer, and more environmentally friendly products while providing commercial benefits,” Levy-Yurista stated.
