Paris-based AQEMIA, a pioneering techbio company that combines atomic-scale physics with generative AI to develop innovative medicines, has secured $38 million in additional funding. The round was led by new investor Cathay Innovation (also invested in Wendel, Bpifrance Large Venture, Eurazeo, and Elaia), bringing AQEMIA’s total funding to $100 million.
This funding round secured less than a year after their previous one, follows the validation of AQEMIA’s drug discovery platform through results in internal preclinical programs and pharmaceutical partnerships, particularly in oncology. The investment will support AQEMIA’s development goals, including clinical trial preparations and global expansion, beginning with London.
How AQEMIA tackles traditional drug discovery’s inefficiencies and costs
AQEMIA addresses a key challenge: the time-consuming and expensive nature of traditional drug discovery, which typically requires years of experimental data. The company streamlines this process through its advanced AI algorithms, reducing time and costs while improving the likelihood of successful clinical trials through better candidate selection.
Recent successes validate the platform’s effectiveness: promising in vivo results in advanced oncology programs progressing toward clinical trials and through a $140 million collaboration with Sanofi announced in December 2023, demonstrating strong industry confidence.
Following its $100 million funding milestone, AQEMIA plans to open a London office in January 2025 in King’s Cross. This strategic expansion into the UK’s vibrant tech and biotech ecosystem will tap into the country’s rich talent pool in life sciences and technology as the company continues its global recruitment drive.
AQEMIA will use the new funding to advance its technology platform, which combines quantum-inspired, atomic-scale physics with generative AI to transform drug discovery. Unlike traditional approaches, AQEMIA’s platform doesn’t require experimental training data, enabling the design of genuinely novel molecular structures — solving a major limitation of current generative AI.
Investors see promise in AQEMIA’s vision
“We have long been committed to supporting visionary entrepreneurs who harness the transformative potential of AI to reshape the healthcare industry. “ supports Jacky Abitbol, partner at Cathay Innovation. “AQEMIA embodies the future of drug discovery, combining the power of AI with quantum mechanics. Fueled by Maximilien and Emmanuelle, the company’s vision is fully aligned with Cathay Innovation’s DNA, as it aims to transform the molecule research and pharmaceutical industry profoundly. Our partnership goes beyond capital support; we use our experience in scaling AI-driven companies worldwide, particularly across the US and Asia, as AQEMIA accelerates its path to the clinic and expands its global impact.”
“This is a transformative moment for AQEMIA,” said Maximilien Levesque, PhD, CEO and co-founder of AQEMIA. “Less than a year after our last round, this successful fundraising and the opening of our new London office mark significant strides toward our ambition to accelerate the discovery of new medicines globally. Partnering with Cathay Innovation brings international expertise, particularly in the US and Asia, reinforcing our vision and mission. With this momentum, we are poised to advance to clinical trials, bringing us closer to delivering life-changing treatments to patients in need.”
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