Amsterdam, November 26, 2024
Cradle, an AI-powered protein engineering platform headquartered in Amsterdam and Zurich, has successfully raised $73 million in a Series B funding round led by IVP, with participation from Index Ventures and Kindred Capital. This brings Cradle’s total funding to over $100 million, advancing its mission to democratize AI-driven protein engineering for scientists worldwide.
Transforming Protein Engineering
Founded in 2021, Cradle is addressing critical inefficiencies in traditional protein engineering, a time-intensive and costly process. Its generative AI platform significantly accelerates research and development by enabling scientists to design and refine protein sequences tailored to specific applications.
The platform leverages cutting-edge machine learning and experimental data to:
• Optimize protein design: Reduce experimental rounds and improve success rates.
• Streamline R&D workflows: Minimize costs by up to 90% and boost efficiency by 1.2–12x.
• Enhance scalability: Enable applications in diverse fields such as therapeutics, sustainable manufacturing, and agriculture.
Cradle’s technology is already in use by leading companies, including Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Grifols, driving advancements in enzyme engineering, diagnostics, and bio-based innovations.
Strategic Growth and Investments
With the Series B funding, Cradle plans to:
1. Expand wet lab capabilities: Support additional research into protein modalities and improve foundational models.
2. Grow its engineering team: Address complex protein engineering challenges.
3. Scale operations: Accelerate global adoption of its platform by scientific teams across industries.
The company has also appointed Sam Partovi as Chief Commercial Officer to spearhead its commercial expansion.
CEO Vision
Stef van Grieken, Cradle’s CEO and Co-founder, stated:
“Our mission is to make biology engineering accessible, faster, and more affordable. This funding enables us to empower scientists globally to develop bio-based solutions for some of humanity’s biggest challenges.”
Global Impact
Cradle’s generative AI platform has demonstrated success in reducing the time and cost of protein engineering, achieving notable milestones such as a fourfold activity increase in enzyme performance for a biotechnology customer within three experimental rounds.
Alex Lim, General Partner at IVP, emphasized:
“Cradle’s pioneering approach to protein design has the potential to revolutionize industries by addressing inefficiencies in R&D. This funding positions Cradle as a global leader in AI-driven biotechnology.”
Future Outlook
As demand for sustainable and efficient solutions grows, Cradle’s advancements in AI-powered protein engineering aim to drive innovation in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and beyond. By reducing barriers to protein design, the company empowers scientists to create impactful solutions for global challenges, including sustainable materials, animal-free foods, and eco-friendly chemicals.
For more information, visit cradle.bio or contact [email protected].
Media Contact:
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Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
