London-based LabGenius raises $3.66m seed funding for its ‘Silicon Scientist’, Eva

LabGenius, a London-based synthetic biology start-up, has raised $3.66m in an oversubscribed seed funding round.

The financing was jointly led by Kindred Capital and Acequia Capital with participation from Backed VC, Beast Ventures, Berggruen Holdings Ltd, and System.One.

The round also included former head of corporate strategy at Microsoft, Charlie Songhurst and prominent angel investor, Tom McInerney.

The synthetic biology start-up will use the fresh injection of cash to establish a purpose-built R&D facility in Central London and mature Eva – its autonomous AI-driven evolution engine.

Founded by Dr James Field, the CEO completed his PhD studies at Imperial College London where his research was focused on re-engineering protein nanocages for biotechnological applications.

Explaining his start-up’s offering, Dr. Field said:

“EVA is a Silicon Scientist hooked up to a bank of liquid handling robots. By combining intelligence with empirical exploration, EVA is able to iteratively learn through conducting its own scientific experiments.

“Right now, EVA is unpicking Nature’s design rules with unparalleled speed and dexterity.

“Once equipped with this knowledge, EVA will give us the ability to engineer life with unprecedented control.

“Critically, this technology will give us the ability to harness new materials and therapies that we do not or even cannot fully understand.”

Leila Zegna, founding partner at Kindred Capital, said:

“We’re delighted to have backed LabGenius. The company is breaking new ground at the interface of synthetic biology and data science and the potential of their technology is vast”.