Imperagen, a biotechnology firm originating from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, has successfully closed a £5 million ($6.7 million) seed funding round. The investment, led by PXN Ventures with additional support from IQ Capital and Northern Gritstone, brings the company’s total funding to £8.5 million. Founded in 2021 by scientists Dr. Andrew Currin, Dr. Tim Eyes, and Dr. Andy Almond, the startup aims to modernize the traditionally slow and costly process of enzyme engineering.

The company is deploying a sophisticated three-pronged technological approach to replace conventional trial-and-error laboratory methods. By utilizing quantum physics-based simulations, Imperagen can predict the behavior of millions of enzyme mutations digitally. This data is then processed through proprietary AI models, which are continuously refined using a closed-loop system of robotic automation that generates real-world experimental data. This methodology is designed to overcome the common industry hurdle where AI-designed enzymes often fail when scaled for industrial use.

To spearhead this next phase of growth, Imperagen has appointed Guy Levy-Yurista as its new CEO. Levy-Yurista, who brings extensive experience in AI and life sciences, will focus on scaling the company’s vertical AI infrastructure for biocatalysis and expanding its commercial partnerships. The new capital will be directed toward hiring specialized AI talent, enhancing research and development capabilities, and establishing a robust go-to-market strategy over the next two years.

Enzymes serve as critical components in drug discovery, food production, biofuels, and sustainable manufacturing. By accelerating the development of these natural catalysts, Imperagen intends to provide industries with a more reliable and commercially viable path to creating bio-based products. As the company scales, it joins a growing field of innovators, including Biomatter, Cradle Bio, and Absci, all working to integrate advanced computation into the future of biological manufacturing.