Vilya, a biotech startup based on technology developed at the Institute for Protein Design in Seattle, announced an increased $71 million Series A funding round. The company, founded two years ago, uses advanced machine learning and AI techniques to aid in the development of macrocyclic drugs, a promising new type of medicine. Investors backing Vilya include ARCH Venture Partners, NVentures by NVIDIA, Madrona, and Menlo Ventures. These firms see Vilya as a disruptor in the field, using innovative protein engineering tools to design complex yet powerful molecules.
One of the several spinouts from the Institute for Protein Design, Vilya was recently highlighted in a study published in Science on designing specialized peptides. These ultra-small proteins serve as the foundation for Vilya’s approach to drug development. AI-powered protein design is revolutionizing the field, with applications in therapeutics, vaccines, biosensors, materials, and more. The Institute for Protein Design’s research has been instrumental in driving progress in this fast-moving sector.
Cyrus Harmon, a seasoned biotech executive who co-founded and led Olema Oncology, was brought on board as Vilya’s CEO last year. Under Harmon’s leadership, the company aims to leverage groundbreaking research in advanced computational approaches to explore new chemical space within cyclic peptides and design molecular structures that are not naturally occurring. By utilizing cutting-edge computing technology, Vilya hopes to revolutionize the process of designing new medicines with the ultimate goal of curing diseases.
Madrona, a key investor in Vilya, emphasized in a blog post the potential of the company to disrupt the current methods of discovering macrocycle drugs, which are often slow and limited in chemical diversity. Vilya’s approach, based on cutting-edge protein engineering tools, is poised to revolutionize the field by intelligently designing these complex molecules. By tapping into uncharted chemical space, Vilya is pushing boundaries and striving to create novel therapeutic solutions that were previously unimaginable.
The field of AI-powered protein design is rapidly advancing, with research from the Institute for Protein Design driving many of the recent breakthroughs. Vilya’s use of advanced computational techniques combined with innovative thinking is reshaping the landscape of drug development. By integrating machine learning and AI into the design process, Vilya is at the forefront of a new era in medicine, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in curing diseases and improving human health.
With operations in both Seattle and the Bay Area, Vilya is well-positioned to continue its groundbreaking work in the development of macrocyclic drugs. Backed by top-tier investors and led by an experienced CEO, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the biotech industry. By leveraging the latest advancements in AI and protein engineering, Vilya is at the forefront of innovation in drug discovery, paving the way for new therapies that have the potential to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
