Summary:
Apheris secures €20.1 million in Series A funding to enhance data collaboration in life sciences.
Led by OTB Ventures and eCAPITAL, this funding will help scale Apheris' federated computing technology.
97% of healthcare data remains unused; Apheris aims to unlock this resource for AI-driven research.
The startup's Compute Gateway allows for secure AI model training without data transfer.
Apheris plans to create the largest secure life sciences data network by 2025.
Apheris: Pioneers in Life Sciences Data Collaboration
Berlin-based startup Apheris, a leader in federated computing technology, has successfully closed a €20.1 million Series A funding round. This significant capital will enhance the startup's mission to create secure and collaborative data networks for the life sciences sector.
The funding round was spearheaded by prominent European DeepTech investors including OTB Ventures and eCAPITAL, alongside existing backers like Octopus Ventures and Heal Capital.
Robin Röhm, CEO of Apheris, expressed excitement about the new partnerships, stating, “With their help, Apheris will unlock the potential of AI and machine learning for the life science industry by solving its critical bottleneck: access to large and diverse data.”
The Technology Behind Apheris
Founded in 2019, Apheris focuses on federated computing technology, allowing organizations to access data securely and privately without transferring sensitive information. Their Compute Gateway is designed to facilitate AI model training while addressing regulatory and commercial sensitivities. This innovative approach has already attracted major players in the pharmaceutical industry, including Roche and Johnson & Johnson.
By promoting data collaboration while protecting intellectual property and privacy, Apheris is tapping into a market valued at over €29 billion. The startup addresses a pressing issue, as 97% of healthcare data remains unused due to concerns over data sharing and trust.
Future Developments
The new funding will empower Apheris to scale operations, support foundational AI models, and expand its network of biopharmaceutical clients. This includes hosting advanced models for protein-complex prediction, surpassing current state-of-the-art performance by leveraging previously inaccessible data.
Post-fundraise, Apheris aims to enhance its end-to-end functionalities around critical life sciences use cases, facilitating collaborative model training that promises significant performance improvements. The expertise of its investors, particularly in cybersecurity, will bolster Apheris' position as a secure solution for life sciences data networks.
Marcin Hejka, Co-Founder and General Partner at OTB Ventures, highlighted Apheris’ potential, stating, “Apheris is pioneering the future of distributed data infrastructure, enabling organizations to unlock the full potential of their AI/ML workloads while keeping sensitive raw data secure.”
Hannes Schill, Managing Partner at eCAPITAL, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of secure data collaboration in healthcare. Apheris aims to establish the largest secure life sciences data network by the end of 2025, positioning itself as a key player in the evolution of AI-driven healthcare solutions.
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