Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup Mandrake Bio is utilizing generative AI to design synthetic gene-editing proteins. The firm recently secured ₹16 crore in pre-seed funding to accelerate its research and lab validation processes for agricultural and medical applications.
Mandrake Bio, a Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup, is working to change how gene-editing tools are developed by combining generative artificial intelligence with traditional biophysics. The company recently raised ₹16 crore in a pre-seed funding round backed by investors including Antler India and Activate. As a private, early-stage company, Mandrake Bio is currently focused on building its proprietary platform to create custom proteins for gene editing, a process that has traditionally relied on naturally occurring enzymes.
Traditional gene-editing technologies, such as the well-known CRISPR-Cas9 system, often face challenges regarding the size and delivery of enzymes inside cells. Because these natural proteins can be bulky and hard to manage, their use in complex genetic modifications is limited. Mandrake Bio aims to address these physical constraints by treating enzyme development as an engineering problem. Instead of searching for natural variants, the company uses AI models to design synthetic proteins from scratch that are optimized for precision and size.
The company’s operational strategy relies on a continuous feedback loop between its digital design models and physical testing. Every synthetic protein designed by the AI is tested in an in-house wet lab, with the results fed back into the system to improve the next iteration. This 'design-build-test' cycle is intended to shorten the time required for development, potentially moving the process from years to weeks. The firm is pursuing a co-development model, looking to partner with established companies in the agricultural seed and therapeutic sectors to bring these tools to market.
For observers of the Indian deep-tech sector, it is important to note that Mandrake Bio is in the very early stages of its journey. Like many companies in the biotechnology space, the startup faces significant execution and research risks. Developing new gene-editing tools requires rigorous validation to ensure safety and effectiveness, and there is no guarantee that the synthetic designs will perform as expected in large-scale applications. Additionally, the company is competing in a global market where established biotechnology firms are also investing heavily in AI-driven drug discovery and protein engineering.
The primary monitorables for the company in the coming months will be its ability to scale its laboratory infrastructure and successfully demonstrate the efficacy of its synthetic proteins in real-world conditions. As it moves from the current pre-seed stage, the company’s progress will depend on its ability to meet development milestones and secure further funding to support its research and development goals.