DeepLife, a Paris-based biotech startup, has successfully secured $10 million in Series A funding to advance its innovative AI platform focused on drug discovery. The company uses cutting-edge technology to create “digital twins” of human cells, aiming to enhance therapeutic development and accelerate the discovery of new treatments.
Paris’s biotech startup DeepLife
Founded in 2019 by Jonathan Baptista, an expert in aeronautics simulation, and Jean-Baptiste Morlot, a researcher specializing in AI applications for genetics and epigenetics, DeepLife is tackling inefficiencies in the drug development process. The core of the company’s strategy lies in its Cell Blueprint platform, a powerful tool that maps the complex networks of cells to identify therapeutic pathways specific to different cell types.
By leveraging one of the largest multi-omics databases in the world, along with advanced AI models and curated scientific literature, the Cell Blueprint platform provides deep insights into the molecular processes occurring within cells. This enables the identification of molecular triggers that could help revert diseased cells to a healthier state. The platform also facilitates the simulation of drug effects on cellular systems, making it possible to target diseases that were previously thought to be “undruggable.” 
CEO Jonathan Baptista emphasizes that DeepLife’s technology has already gained interest from major players in the pharmaceutical industry. He stated, “By pushing the boundaries of AI and biology, we aim to uncover therapies for diseases once thought untreatable, creating a future where no disease is beyond reach.”
Key Applications of Cell Blueprint
The Cell Blueprint platform has several key applications within drug discovery. It aids in target discovery and validation by enabling precise analysis of cell-type-specific networks, which helps identify critical molecular pathways. For biomarker discovery, the platform’s ability to analyze cellular networks allows for the identification of robust biomarkers, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. In the field of drug repurposing, it predicts the effects of existing drugs on specific cell networks, minimizing the risk of off-target effects and increasing success rates. Additionally, the platform offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of complex diseases by distinguishing disease-associated networks across various cell types, providing a foundation for developing targeted therapies.
The Series A funding, which was led by YZR Capital and Relyens Innovation Santé, with support from Beiersdorf Venture Capital, Prunay Group, and existing investors, will help DeepLife further refine its digital twin platform. The company plans to focus on validating its potential applications in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
According to Claire Poulard of Turenne Capital, “DeepLife’s innovative approach, combining extensive multi-omics databases with state-of-the-art AI models to create digital twins of cells, has immense potential not only for revolutionizing drug discovery but also for advancing applications in biomanufacturing and precision medicine.”
