AI Startup Secures $5.3M in Funding to Advance Innovations in Stem Cell Biology

Somite has successfully secured $5.3 million in pre-seed funding, fueling its vision to become the leading innovator in stem cell biology. Founded in October 2023, Somite is on a mission to harness artificial intelligence to create synthetic human tissue samples for advanced cell therapy applications. These engineered tissues will play a crucial role in developing and testing novel treatments prior to their administration to human patients.

The pre-seed funding round was spearheaded by the Israeli venture capital firm TechAviv, with participation from prominent investors such as Next Coast Ventures, Texas Venture Partners, and Lerer Hippeau. The raised capital will primarily be allocated to the development of Somite's groundbreaking AlphaStem AI platform, as well as advancing the company's therapeutics toward phase 1 clinical trials. Furthermore, Somite plans to establish its own laboratory to enhance its research capabilities.

Cell therapy represents a revolutionary approach where living cells are utilized to treat or prevent diseases. This innovative strategy may involve replacing damaged cells, supplying missing or defective proteins, or boosting the body's immune response. Somite aims to revolutionize these treatments by employing AI to create digital twins of human cells that accurately replicate early embryonic development and behavior.

At the core of Somite’s technology are its foundational AI models, which generate synthetic cell samples. These models draw upon extensive datasets, including scRNA-Seq and gene expression profiles, to refine their training. The insights derived from these synthetic samples are then harnessed by the AlphaStem platform, enabling researchers to glean valuable information about cell differentiation and behavior.

Somite is optimistic that its synthetic cell therapies will pave the way for significant breakthroughs across various medical conditions linked to cell population deficiencies. These include widespread health issues like obesity, diabetes, and muscular dystrophies.

"The future of medicine lies at the intersection of AI and biology," stated Micha Breakstone, Somite’s CEO and co-founder. "With our AlphaStem platform, we have a unique opportunity to uncover the fundamental principles of cell differentiation and introduce transformative therapies that could potentially benefit tens of millions of individuals. This funding round is just the beginning of our exhilarating journey ahead."

By merging cutting-edge technology with the complexities of biology, Somite is poised to redefine the landscape of cell therapy, making strides toward a healthier future for countless patients.