Bioptimus AI-Effort to Model Biological Systems Drives Forward

Bioptimus, a developer of AI-based foundation models for biology, has closed a $41 million Series A round led by Cathay Innovation. Additional investors in the round include Sofinnova Partners, Bpifrance Large Venture Fund, Andera Partners, Hitachi Ventures, Boom Capital Ventures, Pomifer Capital, Sunrise, and angel investors Emmanuel Cassimatis and Thomas Wolf.

Bioptimus is focused on developing AI-based foundation models to analyze biological systems across various levels, including molecules, cells, tissues, and organisms. These models provide a framework designed to address the fragmented nature of biological research by integrating data from multiple scales and modalities, such as imaging and genetics.

Bioptimus’ approach combines this diverse data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of biological systems. Traditional research methods and existing AI models often focus on isolated elements, such as DNA, proteins, cells, or tissues, which can limit the scope of findings. By unifying these data points, the company aims to enable research that spans broader biological contexts.

“Bioptimus is at the forefront of transforming biological research, leveraging cutting-edge AI to break down silos and unlock the full complexity of biology,” said Jacky Abitbol, a partner at Cathay Innovation. “By integrating data across multiple scales and modalities, Bioptimus is paving the way for groundbreaking innovations across industries, from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology and beyond. We are delighted to see that since our initial investment a year ago, Bioptimus has succeeded in structuring a world-class team, while achieving key milestones in its development, notably with the launch of its AI foundation model for pathology in July, the largest in the world.”

In July 2024, Bioptimus released its first model, H-Optimus-0, described as the world’s largest AI foundation model for pathology. The model is a 1.1 billion-parameter (weights and variables) AI system designed for image analysis, trained on a proprietary dataset of over 500,000 histology slides stained for medical diagnostics.

According to the company, this model has demonstrated high accuracy in predicting gene expression in cells and identifying specific types of ovarian cancer, based on independent testing.

The foundation models developed by Bioptimus can be used in multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and cosmetics. These tools are used to advance research in disease modeling, drug design, and treatment prediction. The company was co-founded in 2024 by Jean-Philippe Vert, who serves as its CEO. With this latest funding, Bioptimus has now raised $76 million in total capital.

The proceeds from the Series A round will be used to develop Bioptimus’ next multi-scale, multi-modal foundation model for biology, which is expected to be released later this year. “What we are building is not just a technological breakthrough; it’s a transformative tool for understanding biology in its full complexity,” said Mr. Vert. “Our model will empower researchers to simulate complex biology, predict disease outcomes, and design therapies with unprecedented precision. Beyond medicine, this technology will drive discoveries in biotechnology, cosmetics, and beyond.”

Cathay Innovation invests in startups seeking to transform industries using AI and technology. The firm’s investments range from $5 million to $40 million and span sectors such as commerce, fintech, healthcare, and mobility. Founded in 2015, Cathay Capital manages over €2.5 billion in assets and operates from Paris, with offices in Berlin, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Singapore.