Latent Labs, a biotech startup founded by former DeepMind scientist Simon Kohl, has launched with $50 million in funding.
The company is developing artificial intelligence models to design and optimise proteins, essential molecules in human biology.
Proteins control vital functions like enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Their structure determines their role, but understanding this has traditionally been slow.
DeepMind’s AlphaFold used AI to predict protein structures and Latent Labs now aims to go further by enabling scientists to "programme biology" and design new therapeutic proteins without lengthy lab work.
Based in London and San Francisco, Latent Labs plans to partner with biotech and pharmaceutical companies rather than develop its own drugs. Investors include Radical Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, and Google’s chief scientist Jeff Dean.