Aqemia Secures $38M to Revolutionize Drug Discovery with AI and Quantum Physics
Paris-based biotech startup Aqemia has raised \(38 million in a Series B funding round led by [Cathay Innovation](https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/12/cathay-innovation-launches-third-multi-stage-startup-fund-at-1b/), bringing its total funding to over \)100 million. The company is pioneering a unique approach that combines quantum-inspired physics with generative AI to accelerate drug discovery.
Breaking New Ground in AI-Powered Drug Development
Founded in 2019 by Maximilien Levesque and Emmanuelle Rolland-Martiano, Aqemia stands out in the crowded field of AI-driven drug discovery by:
- Leveraging physics and statistical mechanics algorithms
- Generating synthetic data to train its AI systems
- Eliminating dependency on costly experimental data
- Focusing initially on oncology and immuno-oncology treatments
The Competitive Landscape
The AI drug discovery sector has seen remarkable activity in 2024:
- Healx raised $47M for rare disease treatments
- Formation Bio secured $372M with Sam Altman’s backing
- Xaira launched with $1B in funding
- DeepMind’s AlphaFold earned a Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Strategic Partnerships and Expansion Plans
Aqemia’s technology has already attracted major pharmaceutical interest:
- Multi-year collaboration with Sanofi worth up to $140M
- New London office opening in 2025 to access UK talent
- Global expansion supported by Cathay Innovation’s network
“This funding marks a crucial step in our mission to transform drug discovery globally,” said CEO Maximilien Levesque. “Our partnership with Cathay Innovation provides invaluable access to international markets, particularly in the U.S. and Asia.”
The Science Behind the Innovation
Aqemia’s proprietary approach offers several advantages:
- Faster Discovery: AI models predict molecular interactions without experimental data
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces reliance on expensive lab testing
- Precision Medicine: Targets critical diseases with higher accuracy
Investor Confidence
The latest round included participation from:
- Wendel
- Bpifrance Large Venture
- Eurazeo
- Elaia
With this new capital, Aqemia plans to accelerate its therapeutic pipeline and expand its team of interdisciplinary scientists, combining expertise in physics, AI, and biology to tackle some of medicine’s most challenging problems.
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