Tierra raises $11.4 in Series A round for predictive AI protein maker
Summary
AI models can sift over large datasets and predict potential drug compounds.Tierras CEO Michael Nemzek says that the companys platform makes a change from the inefficient and slow protein engineering methods that use living cells. He added Tierras platform can rapidly produce large numbers of discrete custom proteins for screening and discovery.Material Impact partner Corinna Chen said: Tierras platform propels innovation in the bioeconomy by eliminating bottlenecks in protein discovery and manufacturing.Big pharmas move to position itself at the forefront of AI has been a strong indicator of the industrys sentiment towards the technology. BMS signed a $674m deal with genAI company VantAI earlier this year, following similar deals involving MSD, Genentech, and Eli Lilly with Amazon, NVIDIA, and Genesis, respectively.It remains to be seen whether Tierra can reach the Series B heights of its genAI counterparts. Deep learning biotech startup Evozyne, which uses AI to simulate millions of years of evolution in proteins to identify targets, raised $81m in a Series B round in September 2023. Genesis Therapeutics, which uses generative and predictive AI technology to accelerate drug discovery, closed a $200m Series B round last August.