Vienna-based biotech startup Graph Therapeutics, which is developing a lab-in-the-loop AI platform to revolutionize drug discovery in inflammation and immunology, has raised $3.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. Squareone and Merantix Capital led the investment.
- Founded in 2024 by Berend Snijder, Gregory Vladimer, Robert Sehlke, and Yannic Severin, Graph Therapeutics develops an advanced lab-in-the-loop AI platform to transform drug discovery in inflammation and immunology.
- Graph Therapeutics uses perturbation modelling from primary patient cell samples and multi-omics data to create targeted therapies and biomarkers for immune-driven diseases.
- The company seeks to offer solutions for immune-mediated diseases by employing AI trained on complex disease data, potentially filling the gap in treatment options for numerous patients.
"Our platform builds upon our team's extensive experience in successfully applying AI approaches in precision oncology and immuno-oncology, and we have evolved our approach to meet the distinct challenges of immunologically driven diseases, to bring forward pre-clinical de-risking in the discovery timeline," explains Gregory Vladimer, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Graph Therapeutics.
Details of the deal
- Berlin-based VC Squareone and German Merantix Capital led the pre-seed funding round, with participation from NAVEC Investment Management and angel investors such as Mehdi Ghissassi via the Atomico Angel Program.
"What sets Graph apart is not just their innovative technical approach, but the team's proven track record of bringing AI platforms from concept to commercial success in the pharmaceutical industry," General Partner at Merantix Capital, Adrian Locher, stated.
- The startup plans to use the funding to advance its platform and expand its computational and biological scientists team. Initially, it will focus on sterile inflammation.
- Graph Therapeutics aims to develop more effective therapies for immune dysregulation across various related I&I diseases, targeting a market opportunity projected to exceed $257 billion by 2032.
