Shift Bioscience, a biotechnology startup using generative AI to explore how gene activation can reverse the aging process, has secured $16 million in seed funding to further develop its cell simulation AI platform.
The funding round was led by BGF, with significant contributions from Kindred Capital, F-Prime Capital, and Jonathan Milner.
The new investment will support the continuous advancement of Shift Bioscience’s artificial intelligence-driven platform, which focuses on identifying genes that can be used to rejuvenate cells without causing adverse effects and help fight age-related illnesses.
Co-founded in 2017 by Daniel Ives, Ph.D, Stephen Ives, and Brendan Swain, Ph.D the company aims to develop cell rejuvenation treatments to cure age-related diseases without causing changes in the stem cells’ identity.
Shift Bioscience’s approach identifies multiple interventions for reversing critical epigenetic age-related biomarkers, such as single-gene therapy. This provides healthcare experts with a novel approach to promoting practices for healthy aging.
AI-driven Cell Stimulation Platform
Shift Bioscience’s cell simulation platform combines the power of genAI with an accurate biological aging clock capable of predicting the types of genes that can safely rejuvenate specific cells. The genes are then tested and improved, and the results are used to validate the predictions.
According to Dr Daniel Ives, CEO of Shift Bioscience, the company’s technology addresses the existing limitations of cellular reprogramming in curing age-related diseases. The technology could be critical in developing treatments targeting age-related medical conditions, including hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular diseases.