Archon Biosciences, a biotech startup applying AI to the design of new biomolecules, has launched with $20 million in seed funding led by Madrona Ventures. Additional investment came from DUMAC Inc., Sahsen Ventures, WRF Capital, Pack Ventures, Alexandria Venture Investments, and Cornucopian Capital. The round adds to approximately $7 million in grants from various institutions and government sources.
Archon is developing a technology known as “antibody cages” or AbCs, designed to enhance the effectiveness of antibody treatments by arranging them in protein-based scaffolds. Co-founder and CEO James Lazarovits described the approach as a new way to tackle challenges in targeting disease. He noted that there are many high-profile cases where we understand not only a target’s biology but also why past attempts to drug the target have failed in the clinic and that the startup has developed a proprietary protein design platform coupled with rapid in-house manufacturing and testing to revolutionize how biologics are developed.
The company, the first spinout from the University of Washington’s Baker Lab, uses protein creation and simulation technologies developed by David Baker’s team, incorporating generative design principles. The resulting AbCs increase the likelihood of antibodies binding to their targets, potentially creating breakthroughs in drug development.
The technology allows Archon to work with existing manufacturing methods, meaning AbCs could be produced at scale using standard protein production techniques. Based in Seattle alongside Baker Lab, Archon aims to accelerate progress in biologics with this funding, moving AI-powered drug development to the forefront of biotech innovation.
