Institute for Protein Design
Facts
- HQ
- University of Washington School of Medicine
- Sectors
- Biotechnology, Biopharma, Drug discovery, Protein engineering
Accipiter Bio raises $10.5M more to speed AI-designed multi-target protein drugs, expanding clinical pipeline
Seattle biotech Accipiter Bio raised an additional $10.5 million from existing investors to accelerate development of AI-designed multi-target protein therapeutics and expand its team and clinical pipeline. The company, now 22 people strong and partnered with Pfizer and Kite/Gilead, will use the funds to advance three to four programs—focusing mainly on immunology alongside oncology—after emerging from stealth last year with $12.7 million.
Anindya Roy Co-founds Lila Biologics to Advance AI-Driven Medical Therapies After Journey from Rural India to UW Lab
Anindya Roy, who moved from rural India to the U.S. in 2008 with limited resources, has co-founded Lila Biologics in 2023 to develop innovative medical therapies using AI-powered protein design. His journey from humble beginnings to a postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate David Baker exemplifies determination and scientific innovation.
Seattle’s Accipiter Bio Raises $12.7M, Partners with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to Advance AI-Designed Multi-Target Protein Therapies
Seattle biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences, founded by researchers from Nobel laureate David Baker's lab, secured $12.7 million and partnerships with Pfizer and Kite Pharma to develop AI-designed multi-target proteins aiming to improve disease treatment efficacy and reduce clinical trial costs.
Seattle Startups Yoodli and A-Alpha Bio Appoint New C-Suite Execs, TiE Seattle Names Siddhartha Srinivasa as President
Seattle startups Yoodli, A-Alpha Bio, and MoxiWorks have added senior executives, including Andy Larson as Yoodli's CFO and Troy Lionberger as A-Alpha Bio's chief business officer, while TiE Seattle appointed Siddhartha Srinivasa as president. These moves highlight growth and leadership shifts in the Seattle tech sector, with companies focusing on AI, biotech, and robotics.
Fred Hutch-Led Synthesize Bio Raises $10M to Accelerate Drug Discovery Using AI Gene Expression Model
Seattle-based Synthesize Bio, led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers, raised $10 million from Madrona to accelerate drug discovery using their AI model GEM-1, which predicts gene expression outcomes with lab-level accuracy. The startup aims to reduce drug development time and costs by simulating hypothetical lab experiments with generative genomics.
Lila Biologics, Nobel Laureate’s Startup, Partners with Eli Lilly to Develop AI-Based Tumor Therapies
Lila Biologics, a startup from Nobel Laureate David Baker's University of Washington lab, is collaborating with Eli Lilly to develop AI-powered tumor-targeted therapies, aiming to deliver a candidate protein for clinical trials within six months. The startup utilizes AI and machine learning platforms to create therapeutic proteins for targeted radiotherapy and long-acting injectable drugs.
Seattle Lags Behind San Francisco in Top AI Startup Funding Deals in 2025 Despite Strong Talent Pool
Despite Seattle's strong AI talent and institutions, no Seattle-area startups rank among the top 100 AI funding deals in 2025, as investors favor San Francisco-based companies for large funding rounds. The city has potential but currently lacks a defining AI startup comparable to Anthropic or OpenAI.
James Lazarovits - Co-Founder and CEO at Archon Biosciences
James Lazarovits is the CEO and Co-Founder of Archon Biosciences, a leader at the intersection of materials engineering and artificial intelligence. James brings over 15 years of experience building, mentoring, and investing in deep tech startups across AI, software, hardware, and robotics. Before founding Archon, James was at the forefront of AI-driven computational protein design as a post-doctoral fellow and later research faculty at the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington, under the direction of 2024 Nobel Laureate, David Baker. There, he contributed to pioneering methods that integrate machine learning and molecular engineering to create next-gen therapeutic…
Seattle Startup Summit Highlights City's AI Strengths and Need for More Entrepreneurial Energy
At the inaugural Seattle Startup Summit, leaders like Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji and Acquired podcast co-host Ben Gilbert highlighted Seattle's strong AI ecosystem, anchored by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, and specialization in biotech and disease research. Despite this, they noted the city could benefit from cultivating a more vibrant entrepreneurial culture to maximize its potential in AI innovation.
Insights from Uncommon Thinkers: How these innovators found novel approaches in their fields
This week on the GeekWire Podcast, we sit down with some of the Seattle region’s “Uncommon Thinkers” — inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs transforming industries and driving positive change in the world. We recorded the episode on location, backstage at the GeekWire Gala, where we recognized five Uncommon Thinkers through this annual awards program, presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners. Speaking on the episode are: Uri Shumlak, co-founder and chief scientist at Zap Energy, a physicist leading a team in pursuit of fusion energy, taking a different approach from others in the field. Read the profile. Ingrid Swanson Pultz…
Archon's Jamie Lazarovits on Unlocking the Full Power of Antibodies With AI
What does it take to move from cutting-edge academic research to launching a biotech company that could transform medicine? In this week's episode of Founded & Funded, Madrona Partner Chris Picardo sat down with Jamie Lazarovitz, CEO and co-founder of Archon Biosciences, to uncover the story behind their groundbreaking protein-based biologics and their unique Antibody Cages (AbCs). From bootstrapping deep tech investments as a student to navigating the challenges of commercializing revolutionary science, Jamie shares the pivotal moments, tough decisions, and key lessons that led to Archon's creation. This isn't just a story for biotech enthusiasts — every founder can…
Chris Picardo: Madrona Partner on Tech-Driven Life Science Innovation
Chris Picardo is a Partner at Madrona. Chris joined Madrona in 2017. As a partner on the investment team, Chris focuses on identifying, evaluating, and leading new investment opportunities and working closely with existing companies. Chris helps lead Madrona’s investments in companies innovating around the intersection of life and computer science through combining novel wet lab science with cutting-edge machine learning. He also helps lead investing activities in consumer technology and commerce, marketplaces, and Web3, focusing on how new technological innovations can create new consumer experiences and interactions with the digital world. Topics: - Evolution of the "Intersections of Innovation"…
Seattle Startup Arzeda Raises $38M to Advance Protein Design for Industrial and Agricultural Applications
Seattle-based protein design startup Arzeda raised $38 million in its latest funding round, bringing total investments to $86 million to develop enzymes for industrial and agricultural uses. The company works with major partners like Unilever, BP, and Gore-Tex makers, and was the first spinout from the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design.
Pack Ventures Seeks $30M for Second Fund to Invest in University of Washington-Linked Startups
Pack Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on University of Washington-linked startups, raised $5 million for its first fund and is now aiming to raise $30 million for a second fund to expand its investments. The firm has established a preferred partnership with UW and co-invests with other Seattle VCs in companies across life sciences, software, and healthcare sectors.
Seattle Tech Week Returns July 29 with Focus on AI Innovation and Healthcare, Backed by Madrona Ventures
Seattle Tech Week returns starting July 29, featuring panel discussions and networking events centered on AI innovations and healthcare advancements in the Seattle tech ecosystem, coordinated by Madrona Ventures and other sponsors. The event highlights Seattle’s strong presence in AI and biotech sectors with sessions led by local tech giants, researchers, and startups.
Investor Spotlight: Chris Picardo on Cross-Disciplinary Innovation and Finding Unique Founders
In this episode of Founded & Funded, host Coral Garnick Ducken interviews Madrona Partner Chris Picardo for the latest Investor Spotlight. With degrees in math and English, Chris shares his unique journey into venture capital. Chris highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary skills in understanding and communicating complex concepts and what he looks for in founders, emphasizing unique worldviews and innovative approaches, particularly in AI, biotech, and consumer verticals. This is a great episode for entrepreneurs interested in working with VCs. (00:00) Introduction to Madrona Partner Chris Picardo (00:46) Chris Picardo: From Math and English to Startups (01:26) Chris's Transition to…
Cyrus Biotechnology Launches Levitate Bio to Broaden Access to Rosetta Drug Development Software
Seattle startup Cyrus Biotechnology has spun out a new for-profit company, Levitate Bio, owned by the Rosetta Commons Foundation, to expand access to its versatile drug development software platform, Rosetta. Levitate Bio, led by CEO Sam DeLuca and executive VP Karen Khar, aims to support innovation across drug development, agriculture, synthetic biology, and manufacturing.
Vilya Secures $71 Million Series A Funding Led by NVIDIA, ARCH, Madrona, and Menlo Ventures for AI-Driven Macrocyclic Drug Development
Vilya, a biotech startup developing macrocyclic drugs using AI and machine learning, announced an expanded $71 million Series A funding round led by ARCH Venture Partners, NVIDIA's NVentures, Madrona, and Menlo Ventures. The company, a spinout from Seattle's Institute for Protein Design, aims to revolutionize drug discovery with advanced protein engineering technologies.
University of Washington’s David Baker Credits Open-Code Rosetta Commons for Protein Design Startup Success
David Baker, director of the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design (IPD), emphasizes open code sharing as key to the institute’s success in creating protein design startups. The IPD’s collaborative Rosetta Commons consortium has enabled widespread development of protein design tools, fostering innovation and spinouts in biotech.
University of Washington’s CoMotion Spins Out Seven New Startups Including Biotech and 3D Printing Ventures Since July 2023
Since July last year, the University of Washington's CoMotion has spun out seven new startups focused on innovations from biotech to 3D printing. These are part of over 110 active UW spinouts collectively employing 1,000+ people and raising $4.1 billion in the past five years.
AstraZeneca to Acquire UW Spinout Icosavax for Up to $1.1 Billion to Boost Respiratory Vaccine Development
AstraZeneca announced it will acquire Seattle-based biotech spinout Icosavax, founded at the University of Washington, for up to $1.1 billion to accelerate development of vaccines targeting respiratory viruses. Icosavax's shares surged over 40% after the deal, which values the company at a 43% premium and aims to advance its lead RSV and hMPV vaccine candidate.
Seattle's Dexter Yard Develops into Major South Lake Union Biotech Cluster with Outpace Bio and Allen Institute
Seattle's Dexter Yard has become a growing biotech and life sciences hub, attracting companies like Outpace Bio and the Allen Institute with 528,000 square feet of new lab and office space. The area, located in South Lake Union, is part of a larger regional expansion of science facilities supported by major real estate developments and significant biotech investment.
Seattle Biotech Startup A-Alpha Bio Raises $22.4M to Advance AI Platform for Protein Interaction Analysis
Seattle biotech startup A-Alpha Bio raised $22.4 million to advance its AI-driven platform that measures protein interactions, partnering with major drug companies like Bristol Myers Squibb and Gilead Sciences to accelerate therapeutic development. Its platform combines computational tools and yeast experiments to analyze nearly 500 million protein-protein interaction measurements for drug discovery.
Hootsuite Names Jessica Hartigan CRO and Ellen Terchila CCO; EMOTIV, Institute for Protein Design, Appen, and Outreach Announce Executive Hires
Hootsuite appointed Jessica Hartigan as Chief Revenue Officer and Ellen Terchila as Chief Customer Officer, while other tech companies also announced key executive hires including Gary Flake at EMOTIV and Lynda Stuart at the Institute for Protein Design.
Neoleukin Therapeutics Cuts 70% of Workforce, CEO Jonathan Drachman to Step Down Amid Strategic Review
Neoleukin Therapeutics is cutting about 70% of its workforce and exploring strategic alternatives including sale or merger, with CEO Jonathan Drachman stepping down. The company’s stock rose by over 30% following the announcement.
People
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Chris Picardo Board Observer
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David Baker Director
