Seattle startup Accipiter Bio emerges with $12.7M and big pharma deals for AI-designed proteins
Seattle-based Accipiter Biosciences has launched with $12.7 million in funding and partnerships with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to create AI-designed proteins capable of targeting multiple disease pathways at once.
Founded by researchers from Nobel laureate Dr. David Baker’s lab at the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, the startup uses artificial intelligence to engineer de novo proteins with the ability to bind several cellular targets simultaneously. “We want to establish this new modality,” said co-founder and CEO Matthew Bick. He added that the strategy could unlock new ways to more effectively treat complicated diseases.
Accipiter Bio’s emergence strengthens Seattle’s leadership in AI-driven biotechnology and underscores the deep connection between academic innovation, venture capital investment and global collaboration.