Imperagen secures £5 million to apply quantum physics and AI to enzyme engineering

Biotech startup Imperagen announced Thursday that it has secured a £5 million ($6.7 million) seed funding round led by PXN Ventures, with additional backing from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone. Founded in 2021 by Dr. Andrew Currin, Dr. Tim Eyes, and Dr. Andy Almond, the company emerged from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.

Imperagen aims to transform enzyme engineering by replacing today’s slow and costly trial-and-error methods with a faster, more scalable approach powered by quantum physics simulations, AI, and automation.

At the core of its platform are three technologies designed to modernize enzyme development. First, the company uses quantum physics-based simulations to model enzyme behavior digitally rather than relying solely on laboratory mutation testing. This allows Imperagen to analyze millions of potential enzyme mutations computationally. The resulting data is then used to train proprietary AI models tailored to specific enzyme engineering challenges. Finally, the company employs robotics and automation to generate experimental results that continuously feed back into the AI system, creating a closed-loop learning process.

Enzymes play a vital role in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production, agriculture, and biofuels. By accelerating enzyme engineering, companies like Imperagen hope to improve areas like drug discovery and sustainable manufacturing. AI-driven enzyme technologies are also being explored as a way to reduce the environmental impact of industrial production.

Other companies operating in this sector include Biomatter, Cradle Bio, and Absci.

To date, the company has raised £8.5 million ($11.42 million). The new funding will support hiring additional AI talent, advancing research and development, expanding laboratory operations, and establishing a go-to-market team over the next two years.