Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira Therapeutics is a GenAI-based startup that aims to develop novel drugs by designing complex molecular structures that could potentially be developed into new medications. It leverages the RFdiffusion model, a generative model for protein design that was developed at the ​​Baker’s Lab at the University of Washington by co-founder David Baker, which is reportedly capable of designing protein drugs that bind to influenza molecules in a matter of weeks. The company’s technology focuses on building protein drugs from scratch to fit specific disease targets, which is expected to accelerate drug discovery and development multifold.

Xaira operated in the US (Seattle and San Francisco) and the UK and employed around 60 employees as of May 2024. The company was yet to disclose its targeted therapeutic indications or development timelines.

Funding and financials

Xaira emerged from stealth in April 2024 ,​​ raising USD 1 billion in venture funding to commence its operations and R&D efforts. The investment—reportedly one of the largest venture funding in the biotech industry—was led by ARCH Venture Partners and Foresite Capital, with participation from investors such as F-Prime, NEA, Sequoia Capital, and Lux Capital.