Senti Bio Raises $105M to Pioneer Next-Gen Cancer Treatments with Programmable Biology
Senti Biosciences, a frontrunner in synthetic biology, has closed a $105 million funding round led by Leaps by Bayer, the venture arm of pharmaceutical giant Bayer. The investment will accelerate the development of its groundbreaking gene circuit technology platform, designed to create smarter, more precise cell and gene therapies for cancer treatment.
Revolutionizing Cell Therapy with Computational Biology
Senti Bio’s platform leverages advanced computational techniques to engineer living cells with programmable logic, enabling them to target diseases with unprecedented accuracy.
Key Innovations:
- Multi-receptor targeting: Unlike traditional therapies that rely on single-receptor recognition, Senti’s gene circuits can identify multiple biomarkers, reducing off-target effects.
- CAR-NK cell focus: The company prioritizes chimeric antigen receptor natural killer (CAR-NK) cells, which offer fewer side effects compared to conventional CAR-T cell therapies.
“Think of it like upgrading from basic coding to object-oriented programming,” explains CEO Tim Lu, an MIT synthetic biology expert. “Our gene circuits introduce ‘if-then’ logic, allowing therapies to distinguish between healthy and diseased cells more effectively.”
Addressing Unmet Needs in Oncology
Senti Bio’s initial pipeline targets aggressive cancers with limited treatment options:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Undisclosed solid tumors
The company plans to file Investigational New Drug (IND) applications by late 2022, with clinical trials expected to begin in 2023.
Why Investors Are Betting on Synthetic Biology
Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Leaps by Bayer, highlights the transformative potential: “Senti Bio’s gene circuits could redefine how we treat cancer and regenerate damaged tissues. This aligns perfectly with our mission to fund breakthroughs that impact millions.”
The Road Ahead
With $160 million total funding to date, Senti Bio will:
- Scale manufacturing capabilities
- Advance partnerships with pharmaceutical companies
- Expand its gene circuit platform for broader therapeutic applications
“We’ve tested thousands of gene circuits to build a robust pipeline,” said Lu. “Now we’re transitioning from lab research to clinical impact.”
Industry Context
Senti Bio operates in a competitive landscape with players like CRISPR Therapeutics and Editas Medicine, but its focus on programmable logic sets it apart. The 2017 acquisition of Cell Design Labs by Gilead for $567 million underscores the sector’s growth potential.
This funding round signals growing confidence in synthetic biology to deliver safer, more effective treatments for complex diseases.
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