WhiteLab Genomics has raised €23.2m to expand in vivo testing of AI-designed genomic medicines and grow its international partnerships.
The Paris-based biotechnology company closed the Series B round to support further development and validation of technologies designed through its AI platform.
WhiteLab develops AI tools to design and optimise building blocks used in genomic medicines.
Its ALFRED platform, short for AI-Led Framework for Rational Exploration in Drug Design, is used to design delivery vehicles and programmable genetic payloads before experimental testing.
The company works with viral and non-viral delivery technologies, including adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lipid nanoparticles.
WhiteLab said the funding will expand its in vivo validation work beyond AAVs into non-viral delivery technologies and programmable synthetic promoters.
The company also plans to strengthen its Boston hub for North American biopharmaceutical partnerships, expand its West Coast presence and explore opportunities in Japan and South Korea.
David Del Bourgo, co-founder and chief executive of WhiteLab Genomics, said: “AI can help us design better genomic medicines, but what ultimately matters is whether those designs work in living systems.
“We have already presented compelling results.”
“This financing allows us to scale that work across multiple delivery technologies and payloads, build a portfolio of validated bio-assets and bring them to biopharma partners around the world.”
WhiteLab has previously worked with the Paris Brain Institute to develop AAVs using the ALFRED platform.
According to the company, in vivo studies found that the engineered AAVs crossed the blood-brain barrier while producing a strong brain-to-liver targeting ratio and no detectable liver signal.
WhiteLab is also due to present further in vivo data from collaborations with Sanofi, Cytiva, the Paris Brain Institute and Institut Imagine at the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Congress.
The Series B was led by AVP, an investment platform managing more than €2.5bn in assets.
New investors Yaday Health and Blast Club also participated, alongside existing backers Omnes Capital and Debiopharm Innovation Fund.
François Robinet, managing partner of AVP, said: “WhiteLab is building AI that designs genomic medicines that actually work in vivo, not just on paper.
“AI is about to have a real, tangible impact on genomic medicine and to contribute meaningfully to the development of new therapies.
“The combination of computational design, experimental validation and the ability to translate those designs into differentiated bio-assets is what attracted us to the company.
“We are very excited to join the journey and support David and the team as they enter this next phase.”
