Latent Labs has introduced a groundbreaking web-based AI model, LatentX, designed to democratize the process of protein design. This launch follows the company’s successful emergence from stealth mode, which included securing $50 million in funding. The new model enables users to program biological systems directly from their web browsers, making advanced protein design accessible to academic institutions, biotech startups, and pharmaceutical companies.
According to Simon Kohl, CEO and founder of Latent Labs, the model has “achieved state-of-the-art on different metrics” in lab tests involving proteins developed using its technology. Kohl, who previously co-led the team responsible for DeepMind’s AlphaFold, emphasized that the model’s designs have a high viability rate when tested in physical laboratory settings.
Innovative Features of LatentX
LatentX stands out in the field of protein design by creating entirely new molecular structures, including nanobodies and antibodies, with precise atomic arrangements. This innovation allows researchers to develop new therapeutics at an accelerated pace, a significant advancement over existing technologies. Kohl clarified the distinction between LatentX and AlphaFold, stating, “AlphaFold is a model for protein structure prediction. So it allows you to visualize existing structures, but it doesn’t let you generate new proteins.”
In contrast to other AI-driven drug discovery companies like Xaira, Recursion, and Isomorphic Labs, which focus on proprietary medicine development, Latent Labs plans to license its model to external organizations. “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,” Kohl noted.
While LatentX is currently available for free, Kohl mentioned that the company intends to introduce advanced features that will eventually be monetized. This approach places Latent Labs alongside other open-source AI foundational models in drug discovery, such as those provided by Chai Discovery and EvolutionaryScale.
Backing and Future Prospects
Latent Labs has drawn support from notable investors, including Radical Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, and Mati Staniszewski, CEO of Eleven Labs. This strong backing underscores the potential impact of LatentX on the biotechnology sector.
With the increasing demand for rapid and efficient drug development, the introduction of LatentX is poised to change the landscape of protein design and biotechnology research. As more organizations adopt this innovative tool, Latent Labs aims to lead the charge in transforming how proteins are designed and utilized in therapeutic applications.