PARIS — Bioptimus, a trailblazer in AI foundation models for biology, has successfully raised $76 million in funding, marking a significant milestone for the company. This total includes a $41 million investment led by Cathay Innovation, with participation from prominent investors such as Sofinnova Partners, Bpifrance, Andera Partners, Hitachi Ventures, Boom Capital Ventures, Sunrise, and angel entrepreneurs Emmanuel Cassimatis and Thomas Wolf. The funding will help propel Bioptimus towards its ambitious goal: to create the world’s first universal AI foundation model for biology, which promises to revolutionize research and innovation across the medical, biotech, and cosmetic industries.
Building on the success of its first model, H-Optimus-0, Bioptimus continues to expand its efforts, having already achieved impressive results in pathology. H-Optimus-0, the largest AI foundation model for pathology to date, has outperformed competitors in independent benchmarks, including assessments from Harvard Medical School’s HEST program and the University of Leeds. The model demonstrated remarkable accuracy in predicting gene expression from morphology and classifying ovarian cancer subtypes.
Bioptimus is addressing a long-standing challenge in biological research—the fragmented approach to studying biology. Traditionally, research has focused on isolated biological components like DNA or cells, limiting progress. By integrating data across various biological scales and modalities, Bioptimus offers a holistic model that reflects the full complexity of biology, from molecules to whole organisms.
Jean-Philippe Vert, co-founder and CEO of Bioptimus, described the vision behind their work: “We’re building more than a breakthrough technology; we’re creating a transformative tool to simulate complex biology, predict disease outcomes, and design therapies with unprecedented precision. This model will empower researchers in pharmaceutical industries and beyond, opening doors for biological discoveries we are just beginning to explore.”
The new funding will allow Bioptimus to enhance its AI platform by incorporating diverse data sources, expanding its therapeutic areas, and forming strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company plans to refine and validate its models, paving the way for new possibilities in the medical and biotech industries.
Cathay Innovation’s Jacky Abitbol expressed confidence in Bioptimus’s potential: “Bioptimus is revolutionizing biological research by integrating AI to break down silos and unlock biology’s full complexity. We’re excited to see the company’s progress, especially with the launch of their AI model for pathology—the largest of its kind.”
Bioptimus’s AI-powered approach will not only drive medical and biotechnological advancements but also create opportunities for numerous industries to solve some of biology’s most complex challenges.
For more information, visit bioptimus.com.
