Imperagen Raises €5.8M for AI-Driven Enzyme Engineering

Manchester-based biotechnology firm Imperagen has successfully closed a €5.8 million Seed funding round, signaling a significant boost for its advanced enzyme engineering platform. The capital infusion is earmarked for accelerating research and development initiatives, expanding its physical laboratory infrastructure, and bolstering its commercial outreach over the next 18 months. This strategic funding positions Imperagen to further capitalize on the growing demand for highly optimized enzymes across various industrial sectors.

The funding round was spearheaded by PXN Ventures, with crucial participation from existing backers IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone. This latest investment brings Imperagen's total funding to an impressive €9.8 million. The company also announced the appointment of Guy Levy-Yurista, PhD, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Levy-Yurista brings a wealth of experience from the technology and life sciences sectors, including a track record of two successful company exits in the US and Europe, making him a key asset for Imperagen's next growth phase.

Imperagen distinguishes itself by employing a proprietary, closed-loop system that integrates quantum physics simulations with artificial intelligence and automated wet-lab experimentation. This novel approach allows for the rapid design and optimization of enzymes, a process traditionally fraught with time and cost inefficiencies. By retraining problem-specific AI models with real-world data, Imperagen achieves dramatically improved enzyme performance in fewer iterative cycles compared to conventional methods or generic AI design tools. The company's platform has demonstrated remarkable results, including a 677x and 572x productivity increase for two enzymes in just five rounds of development for a Fortune 500 personal care client.

The enzyme engineering market is experiencing substantial growth, driven by the increasing need for sustainable and efficient biological solutions in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and consumer goods. Traditional enzyme development can take years and involve extensive trial-and-error. Imperagen's AI and quantum-powered methodology offers a paradigm shift, promising greater predictability and speed, thereby reducing development risks for industrial partners. This efficiency is critical in sectors where product development timelines and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

The University of Manchester spin-out, founded in November 2021 by Dr. Andrew Almond, Dr. Andrew Currin, and Dr. Tim Eyes, leverages deep scientific expertise. Dr. Levy-Yurista commented on the company's potential, stating, “Imperagen embodies the characteristics of transformative AI-driven companies: AI-native, data-centric, impactful, and deeply rooted in deep tech. Coupled with exceptional talent and groundbreaking technology, it was an obvious choice to lead this exciting chapter.”

PXN Ventures, investing through the GMC Life Sciences Fund (managed on behalf of Bruntwood SciTech, Enterprise Cheshire + Warrington, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority) and NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance (managed by PXN as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II), highlighted the strength of the North West's life sciences ecosystem. Investment Director Sim Singh-Landa noted Imperagen's potential for local job creation and its contribution to the sector's advancement, aligning with key UK industrial strategies.