Enveda Biosciences

Image for Enveda Biosciences

Overview

Enveda Biosciences is a biotechnology company founded in 2019, focusing on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform natural products into novel therapeutic agents. The company operates from Boulder, Colorado, and was established by Viswa Colluru, who previously worked with Recursion Pharmaceuticals. Enveda has raised a total of $230 million, including a recent $55 million Series B2 round aimed at advancing its drug discovery platform. The firm is dedicated to harnessing the untapped potential of plant chemistry in drug development, using AI to expedite the identification and development processes of natural compounds.

Recent Developments

  • June 2024: Enveda announced a $55 million Series B2 financing round, bringing its total capital raised to $230 million. This funding aims to support the development of Enveda's AI-driven drug discovery platform and advance several drug candidates into clinical trials.
  • May 2024: Enveda revealed a new collaboration with Microsoft, focusing on the development of data-driven solutions for natural product drug discovery. Their joint efforts include the PRISM model, trained on extensive mass spectrometry data to create a groundbreaking foundation for chemical interpretation and discovery.
  • April 2023 to June 2024: Enveda's platform focused on natural product drug discovery has nominated a sixth New Chemical Entity (NCE) Development Candidate. The company is advancing its primary programs towards planned clinical trials in late 2024 and early 2025.
  • Development Programs: Enveda's leading program targets atopic dermatitis, with a novel oral anti-inflammatory treatment showing significant preclinical success. Another program addresses inflammatory bowel diseases, utilizing a unique anti-inflammatory mechanism that inhibits multiple cytokine pathways.

Company Information

AttributeInformation
Founding Date2019
HeadquartersBoulder, Colorado, USA
FoundersViswa Colluru
RevenueNot publicly disclosed
ProfitsNot publicly disclosed
Key InvestorsMicrosoft, Premji Invest, The Nature Conservancy, Kinnevik, True Ventures
IndustryBiotechnology and Drug Discovery
Number of EmployeesNot publicly disclosed

Early History

Enveda Biosciences was founded by Viswa Colluru, who brought experience from his previous role at Recursion Pharmaceuticals. The company aimed to leverage AI for the discovery of novel compounds from nature, beginning with a $4.9 million seed round in 2020. This initial funding was used to build a comprehensive database of medicinal plants, combining ethnobotanical knowledge with chemical indexing to facilitate the discovery of therapeutic agents. Enveda quickly attracted attention for its innovative approach, leading to successive rounds of funding and accelerated development of its drug discovery platform.

Company Profile and Achievements

Enveda Biosciences employs cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies to scrutinize nature's chemical diversity at a large scale. The company's advancements include the development of models such as PRISM, designed to interpret complex chemical data from natural sources. Enveda prioritizes natural product drug discovery, efficiently overcoming historical challenges like the identification and synthesis of bioactive compounds. Significant achievements include:

  • Building a comprehensive chemical database linking over 38,000 medicinal plants to diseases and symptoms.
  • Nominating multiple development candidates that progress quickly from discovery to clinical trial readiness.
  • Establishing partnerships with industry leaders such as Microsoft to enhance computational capabilities and drug discovery outcomes.

Current Operations and Market Position

Enveda Biosciences continues to expand its footprint in the pharmaceutical industry, leveraging its proprietary AI platform to stay at the forefront of natural product drug discovery. The company focuses on translating the vast chemical space of nature into actionable drug candidates, with a strong emphasis on compounds for inflammatory and dermatological conditions. Enveda's unique approach positions it advantageously in a competitive market, with a specialized focus on harnessing AI to access and utilize previously inaccessible natural chemical diversity.

Conclusion

Enveda Biosciences exemplifies innovation in biotechnology, effectively integrating AI to unlock the therapeutic potential of the natural world. With substantial funding and strategic partnerships, Enveda is poised to make significant strides in drug discovery. The company's ongoing efforts to translate natural chemical diversity into clinically effective treatments hold promise for shaping future therapeutic landscapes, offering hope to patients who await new treatment options. Enveda's strategic trajectory suggests continued impact and growth within the pharmaceutical sector, as it pursues novel solutions to complex medical challenges.

References

  1. TechCrunch - Enveda raises $55M for AI-powered drug discovery
  2. Business Wire - Enveda Biosciences Announces $55M in New Funding
  3. SynBioBeta - Enveda secures $55 million in funding
  4. Pharmaceutical Technology - Enveda Biosciences secures $55M
  5. SiliconANGLE - Enveda raises $55M to speed up AI-based drug discovery