On AI and Gene Editing

Last week, Profluent, a start-up based in Berkeley, CA, announced the release of an AI-created gene editor and said:

• its OpenCRISPR uses “AI that learned from massive scale sequence and biological context to generate millions of diverse CRISPR-like proteins that do not occur in nature.”

• Ali Madani, Profluent's CEO, said “attempting to edit human DNA with an AI-designed biological system was a scientific moonshot … our success points to a future where AI precisely designs what is needed to create a range of bespoke cures for disease. 

• Hilary Eaton, Profluent Chief Business Officer, said there is “an urgent need to accelerate the development of this technology for thousands of currently incurable diseases.”

 
Notes: 1) Profluent develops deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. It was founded in 2022. Its lead investors include Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures.
2) CRISPR is a technology that can selectively modify the DNA of living organisms. 
 

OUR TAKE

• Similar to ChatGPT, which focuses on analyzing content from on-line content such as articles, books and chat logs, Profluent’s technology analyzes large amounts of biological data to create new gene editors. 

• AI based solutions such as Profluent have significant potential to increase the speed of development, while lowering the cost of medicines and health care treatments.

• As high-profile AI platforms (e.g. OpenAI and Anthropic) garner significant attention, organizations such as Profluent have large opportunities to leverage market/industry specialize data sets. In these cases, addressing reliability, operating cost and return on investment will continue to be important.