France’s Bioptimus raises $76M for the GPT of biology

Paris, France-based Bioptimus just hit a major milestone, securing a whopping $76 million in funding to fuel its quest to revolutionize biology with AI. The latest cash injection — $41 million — was led by Cathay Innovation and supported by a stellar lineup of investors, including Sofinnova Partners and Hitachi Ventures.

What's the buzz about? Bioptimus is gearing up to unleash a groundbreaking multi-scale, multi-modal foundation model for biology in 2025. Think of it as the AI equivalent of a Swiss Army knife for medicine, biotech, cosmetics, and beyond.

How does it work?

At its core, Bioptimus is smashing the silos of traditional biological research. Usually, scientists study biology in bite-sized pieces: DNA here, proteins there, cells over there. Even the most sophisticated AI models today stick to these isolated zones. But Bioptimus takes a big-picture approach. Their tech pulls data from every level of life — molecules, cells, tissues, even whole organisms — and blends it with cutting-edge modalities like genetics and imaging.

Jean-Philippe Vert, the company's co-founder and CEO, paints a vivid picture: "It's like the GPT of biology — but instead of generating text, we're simulating biology."

The implications are jaw-dropping. Imagine predicting how a disease will progress, fine-tuning therapies with pinpoint accuracy, or simulating the biology of a treatment before it ever reaches a patient. That's not just tech; that's science fiction turned science fact.

Why does it matter?

This isn't just about bragging rights — it's about rewriting the playbook for industries that touch our everyday lives. With its earlier model, H-Optimus-0, Bioptimus already demonstrated how AI can dominate benchmarks, outshining rivals in pathology and winning praise from Harvard Medical School's HEST program. Now, they're upping the ante.

"Bioptimus is paving the way for groundbreaking innovations across industries," says Jacky Abitbol of Cathay Innovation.

By integrating diverse datasets, Bioptimus's model promises to turbocharge drug development, revolutionize cosmetics, and unlock new doors in biotechnology. In essence, it's not just understanding biology; it's bending it to humanity's needs.

The context

Biology has long been a fragmented field, with researchers laser-focused on one tiny piece of the puzzle. Even as AI started making waves, it inherited this tunnel vision. Bioptimus is turning that approach on its head. By merging scales and datasets that were once worlds apart, they're building a holistic view of life as it really is — messy, interconnected, and brimming with untapped potential.

And they're not just dreaming big; they're executing. With backing from top-tier investors and a team that's second to none, Bioptimus has proven it's more than hype. Their progress has industry insiders buzzing and researchers eager to collaborate.

In the words of Vert, "This is not just a technological breakthrough; it's a transformative tool for understanding biology in its full complexity."

It's like they're pulling back the curtain on the secrets of life itself — and we're all about to see the show.