Somite AI Raises $47 Million to Transform Cell Therapy with AI
Deal News | May 13, 2025 | Next Coast Ventures LLC
Somite AI, a TechBio company focused on using AI to accelerate human cell therapy development, has successfully closed a $47 million Series A funding round. The funding was led by Khosla Ventures with contributions from SciFi VC, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Fusion Fund, Ajinomoto Group Ventures, Pitango HealthTech, TechAviv, Harpoon Ventures and notable angel investors including Dr. R. Martin Chavez and Fidji Simo. The investment aims to enhance Somite AI's development of their platform, DeltaStem, which leverages AI models to innovate in the production of human cells. The company is focusing on cell therapies for various diseases such as type 1 diabetes and muscular diseases. Led by AI entrepreneur Dr. Micha Breakstone, the company hopes to achieve breakthroughs similar to the 'AlphaFold moment' in developmental biology.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Venture Capital
Geography
- United States – Somite AI is based in the U.S., and several key participants and institutions like MIT and Harvard Medical School are U.S.-based.
- Israel – Some of the participating venture capital firms such as TechAviv and scientists involved have strong ties to Israel.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The article is centered on Somite AI's work in developing cell therapy solutions using biotechnology.
- Artificial Intelligence – Somite AI is utilizing AI foundation models to innovate and optimize cell therapy development.
- Venture Capital – The funding round was led by venture capital firms and involved several venture capital investors.
Financials
- $47 million – The total amount raised in the Series A funding round led by Khosla Ventures.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somite AI | Target Company | Company | A TechBio company focusing on human cell therapy development using AI. |
| Khosla Ventures | Lead Investor | Company | Venture capital firm leading the Series A funding round. |
| SciFi VC | Investor | Company | Venture capital firm participating in the funding round. |
| Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | Investor | Company | A philanthropic organization investing in technology-driven solutions. |
| Fusion Fund | Investor | Company | Venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies. |
| Ajinomoto Group Ventures | Investor | Company | The venture capital arm of Ajinomoto Corporation focused on health and wellness. |
| Pitango HealthTech | Investor | Company | A venture capital firm specializing in health tech investments. |
| TechAviv | Investor | Company | A network of Israeli startup founders and investors. |
| Harpoon Ventures | Investor | Company | Venture capital firm investing in dual-use technology companies. |
| Dr. Micha Breakstone | Co-Founder and CEO | Person | AI entrepreneur, CEO of Somite AI, and co-founder. |
| Dr. Jonathan Rosenfeld | Co-Founder | Person | Head of the Fundamental AI Group at MIT and co-founder. |
| Prof. Olivier Pourqui | Scientific Co-Founder | Person | Member of the National Academies of Science and Medicine. |
| Prof. Allon Klein | Scientific Co-Founder | Person | James Prize recipient at Harvard Medical School. |
| Prof. Cliff Tabin | Scientific Co-Founder | Person | Chair of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. |