Latent Labs has launched a web-based AI model called LatentX, aimed at revolutionizing protein design for academic institutions, biotech startups, and pharmaceutical companies. This announcement follows the company’s recent emergence from stealth mode, during which it secured $50 million in funding. The AI model enables users to design novel proteins directly through their web browsers using natural language, significantly democratizing access to advanced biological programming.
According to Simon Kohl, CEO and founder of Latent Labs, the model has “achieved state-of-the-art on different metrics” in tests conducted in physical laboratories. Kohl, who previously co-led the protein design team at DeepMind for its well-known AlphaFold project, noted that a high percentage of proteins developed by LatentX are viable when subjected to laboratory testing.
Revolutionizing Protein Design
LatentX distinguishes itself from existing models by not only predicting protein structures but also generating entirely new designs, such as nanobodies and antibodies with precise atomic configurations. Kohl explained, “AlphaFold is a model for protein structure prediction. It allows you to visualize existing structures, but it doesn’t let you generate new proteins.” This capability positions LatentX as a significant advancement in the field of protein engineering, facilitating quicker development of new therapeutics.
The business model of Latent Labs differs from other AI-driven drug discovery companies such as Xaira and Recursion, which focus on proprietary medicine development. Instead, Latent Labs plans to license its model to external organizations, addressing the reality that not all companies can invest in building their own AI infrastructure. Kohl stated, “Not every company is in a position to build their own AI models, to have their own AI infrastructure, and to have their own AI teams.”
While currently available for free, LatentX is expected to introduce advanced features that may carry a fee in the future. In addition to Latent Labs, other companies offering open-source AI foundational models for drug discovery include Chai Discovery and EvolutionaryScale.
Investment and Support
Latent Labs is backed by notable investors, including Radical Ventures and Sofinnova Partners. High-profile individuals such as Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, and Mati Staniszewski, CEO of Eleven Labs, have also provided support for the venture.
As the biotech landscape continues to evolve, the introduction of LatentX represents a significant step towards making protein design more accessible, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in therapeutic development. By harnessing the power of AI, Latent Labs aims to empower a broader range of researchers and companies to innovate in the field of biology.
