Shift Bioscience raises $16m seed cash to fast-track AI anti-ageing research

The company will use the seed funding to accelerate the development of its AI cell simulation platform, enabling the identification of novel genes for safe rejuvenation of cells indicated in age-related illnesses.

The funding will also support the development of an IP portfolio for the novel rejuvenation genes identified by Shift Bioscience. The new investment brings the total raised by the company to $18m.

Shift’s research is a fundamental step forward in designing more effective drugs to treat age-related diseases.

Average life expectancy has increased over the last century which has led to a rise in the number of people suffering from age-related illnesses, increasing the strain on healthcare systems.

Cellular reprogramming with Yamanaka factors represents a promising technology that can rejuvenate cells, providing the opportunity to develop new treatments that target multiple diseases of ageing – from hearing loss to cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. However, there is a pressing need to identify gene-factors that can be used to reprogram cells with proven safety.

Dr Daniel Ives, CEO, Shift Bioscience, commented: “Our technology is addressing the current limitations of cellular reprogramming for treatment of age-related illnesses.

“This investment is indicative of the strength of our approach and is one of the earliest funding rounds for a biotech start-up exclusively focused on the rapidly emerging field of cell simulation for target discovery.

“This additional funding will allow us to accelerate the development of our platform and bring cell rejuvenation therapeutics closer towards clinical trial.”

Shift Bioscience is building a cell simulation platform that combines generative AI with its highly accurate, high-throughput biological ageing clock, to predict which sets of genes are most likely to safely rejuvenate specific cells and then test, improve and validate these predictions.

Preliminary results from the platform were well received at the 2024 Gordon Research Conference on Systems Ageing.

Tim Rea, head of early stage investment at BGF, said: “We’re excited to be backing a British company at the forefront of developing a new class of regenerative medicines.

“Combining machine learning with lab-based biology, Shift’s well-developed platform represents a significant opportunity to address the growing challenges of treating age-related disease and illnesses.”

Shift Bioscience is based at the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, in Cambridge.