The biotech industry faces a fundamental data shortage challenge, which is limiting not only the quality of traditional research but also impeding the wider adoption and advancement of AI application in biological design. Basecamp Research decided to change this.
Founded in 2019 in London by synthetic biologist Dr. Glen Gowers and biomedical engineer Dr. Oliver Vince, Basecamp is bridging the gap between biodiversity and biotech with its industry-leading AI platform and proprietary datasets. With an innovative approach, the company has built a diverse genetic dataset, not only 100 times larger than the existing public genetic databases, but also much richer, comprising mostly entire genomes, rather than small gene fragments as is industry standard. Basecamp leverages this dataset to create new foundational AI models that are able to design new proteins and genes, a process that was previously only possible through long, human centric design, or directed evolutionary lab experiments. .
We're excited to support Basecamp Research (RAC VII) through our investment in their $60 million Series B round, led by Singular, alongside investors like S32, True Ventures, and Hummingbird Ventures.
enabling next-generation genetic medicines
Basecamp’s Series B round also marks the start of a multi-year collaboration with the pioneering Liu Lab at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a pioneer in genome editing and wet-lab development. Using Basecamp’s proprietary datasets and in-house AI models, the collaboration aims to surpass the limits of human-based design, enabling next-generation genetic medicines through the development of novel fusion proteins and other large molecules. This groundbreaking approach could transform treatment for a wide range of diseases and revolutionize R&D.
Basecamp’s technology is paradigm-shifting. Earlier this year, ZymCTRL became the world's first open-source, text-based enzyme generation model, making waves in the biotech industry. This novel approach, coupled with their AI algorithms’ consistently impressive performances demonstrated in numerous case studies, has attracted attention across sectors. Basecamp’s partnerships with industry leaders like Procter & Gamble, and Johnson Matthey highlight their scope for positive impact on areas from consumer health and pharma to bioremediation.
“We are pushing past the limits AI faces in biological design by doubling down on solving the fundamental data shortage underneath the entire biotech industry,” said Dr. Glen Gowers, co-
founder and CEO of Basecamp Research. “Basecamp Research is using its technology to generate new and deeper insights, going beyond known biology and each day expand what we can offer to our partners in the biopharma ecosystem.”
catalyzing industry change
The Series B funds will accelerate Basecamp’s growth, expanding data collection, boosting AI capabilities with a new generation of foundational models, and expanding their management team. As part of its expansion, they are adding biotech veteran Anupama Hoey as Chief Commercial Officer, who brings more than 20 years of leadership experience and has transacted multiple biopharma deals worth more than $5 billion.
Led by truly inspiring founders and a strong team that has the credibility to bring this AI to a wider market, we are excited to join and support Basecamp Research’s long term vision to revolutionize genome design.