The advancement of fresh medication has gained momentum due to technological breakthroughs. As per Tierra Biosciences, the pace at which progress occurs has accelerated.
This San Leandro-headquartered company has devised an AI-guided system for specialized protein synthesis to assist medical, industrial, and agricultural entities in swiftly generating new proteins within weeks rather than months.
In essence, Tierra enables consumers to access proteins online capable of producing a wide array of substances, from growth factors to antibodies for various applications. The software assembles a digital library of proteins, or cell-free reagents. Tierra designs the code for the peptide or DNA. These reagents are then combined with the patient’s protein sequences and placed on a mechanical platform for protein creation.
Michael Nemzek, the CEO of Tierra, stated in a TechCrunch release, “Upon processing these proteins, a substantial amount of data is generated. We assess factors such as equilibrium, absorption, and various protein parameters, applying them within a closed feedback loop.”
Nemzek argues that the traditional method of utilizing living cells to create new proteins is a slow, inefficient process heavily reliant on inadequate data. In contrast, Tierra employs cell-free systems, allowing customers to promptly determine the viability of their protein, reducing the turnaround time from months to weeks. For example, Tierra incorporates a protein produced by a buyer for a laundry detergent into its extensive AI model to ascertain its functionality or need for modifications. Nemzek asserts that this approach saves time and money by enabling customers to test proteins before gaining a comprehensive understanding of their properties.
“Current protein producers must order DNA and maintain living cells,” Nemzek explained. “This demands significant effort to keep the cells alive. We provide a highly efficient method for protein production. Within a few weeks, we can evaluate an individual’s AI unit for the production of 100 proteins. This would be unfeasible for most people without substantial resources.”
With each protein synthesized, Tierra’s AI database expands, encompassing over 5,000 molecules to date. However, Nemzek suggests that the potential for protein production is virtually limitless.
Following a rebrand from Synvitrobio and securing \(2.6 million in new funding, Tierra Biosciences was featured in 2018. Since then, the company has obtained \)7.2 million in grants from esteemed government organizations such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Institutes of Health, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency (DPA).
Nemzek assumed the role of CEO in 2022, succeeding Zachary Sun, the current co-founder and chief academic officer. Prior to his appointment, Nemzek served as the company’s chief commercial officer, overseeing the expansion and development of the CRISPR genome engineering division.
Under Nemzek’s leadership, Tierra is advancing towards commercialization, securing $11.4 million in new Series A financing. The funding round was spearheaded by Material Impact, a fund co-founded by Carmichael Roberts and Adam Sharkawy. Additionally, several prominent investors including Prosus Ventures, In-Q-Tel (IQT), Hillspire, Freeflow Ventures, Creative Ventures, and Social Capital participated in the investment.
Tierra has established partnerships with key players in the agricultural, industrial, and pharmaceutical sectors. The fresh capital infusion will support its expansion into new markets, enhance its AI technology capabilities, and bolster its sales team to drive growth since the platform’s launch a year ago.
Nemzek noted that some users have shown interest in developing industry-specific cell-free systems. Tierra is actively working on enhancing its protein production capacity. It can currently produce milligrams for testing purposes, with plans to scale up to grams in the near future, making it suitable for pilot programs.
“While we don’t anticipate that cell-free systems will address all protein challenges, it is poised to tackle approximately 80% of them,” stated Nemzek. “By leveraging Tierra’s predictive capabilities, you can design a new peptide with specific features beyond what nature offers for your desired application.”
