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§ Private Profile · 2101 North 34th Street, Seattle, USA
Modulus Therapeutics is a technology company.
Modulus Therapeutics develops next-generation cell therapies via an advanced engineering platform. This technology integrates rapid prototyping with generative design, creating optimized cellular components. Their approach accelerates novel therapy candidate discovery for underserved patient populations, fostering internal pipelines and strategic partnerships.
Founded in 2020 by Max Darnell (CEO) and Bryce Daines (CTO), Modulus Therapeutics spun out of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2). Their insight: AI and machine learning could profoundly enhance cell therapy design. Darnell's AI2 background reinforced belief in computational methods for faster therapeutic development.
Modulus Therapeutics aimed to deliver breakthrough medicines for unmet patient needs. Its innovative cell therapy assets were recently acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks, validating its combinatorial and generative design methods. This strengthens Ginkgo's platform for next-generation cell therapy development, especially for autoimmune diseases, progressing the vision of effective engineered cell therapies.
Modulus Therapeutics has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round.
Modulus Therapeutics has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Modulus Therapeutics has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Seed in July 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2021 | $4M Seed | Madrona Venture Group | KDT Ventures, Allen Institute For Artificial Intelligence | Announced |
Modulus Therapeutics was a Seattle-based biotechnology company founded in 2020, specializing in next-generation cell therapies for autoimmune diseases and solid tumors.[1][2][4] It developed off-the-shelf CAR-NK (chimeric antigen receptor Natural Killer) cells engineered for enhanced safety, potency, and accessibility, using rapid prototyping, generative design, and machine learning to overcome limitations of traditional CAR-T therapies.[1][2][3][4] The company raised $3.5M in seed VC funding from investors including Madrona Venture Group, KdT Ventures, and AI2 Incubator, achieving early traction before its cell therapy assets were acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks in April 2024.[1][2][4] This positioned Modulus as an innovator in accessible immune cell engineering, targeting underserved patient populations in autoimmunity and oncology.[2][4][5]
Modulus Therapeutics emerged in 2020 from Seattle, Washington, with a focus on revolutionizing cell therapies through modern molecular engineering and AI-driven design.[1][2][5] Co-founded by CEO Max Darnell, the team leveraged expertise in immune cell programming to create context-responsive CAR-NK cells that "feed off" autoimmune microenvironments for better safety and efficacy, bypassing complex synthetic gene circuits.[4] Early momentum came from its seed funding round and inclusion in expert collections for AI and digital health, reflecting ties to the University of Washington ecosystem via CoMotion.[1][5] The pivotal moment arrived in April 2024 when Ginkgo Bioworks acquired its CAR designs, switch receptors, and libraries, integrating them into Ginkgo's cell programming platform to accelerate broader applications.[2][4]
Modulus stood out in cell therapy through these key strengths:
Modulus rode the wave of AI-powered biotech convergence, applying machine learning to cell therapy design amid rising demand for off-the-shelf immunotherapies that address CAR-T's scalability and safety hurdles.[1][3][4] Timing was ideal post-2020, as autoimmune cell therapy gained traction—exemplified by FDA nods for similar NK approaches—and generative AI tools accelerated discovery.[2][3] Market forces like expanding digital health (10,814+ companies) and AI infrastructure favored Modulus, enabling faster iteration for underserved diseases.[1] Its acquisition by Ginkgo amplified ecosystem influence, bolstering synthetic biology platforms and paving the way for partnered programs in oncology and autoimmunity.[4]
Modulus Therapeutics' legacy endures through Ginkgo Bioworks, where its CAR-NK assets fuel next-gen therapies, likely driving Ginkgo-partnered trials in autoimmune diseases and tumors.[4] Upcoming trends like AI-optimized cell programming and off-the-shelf NK expansion will shape this trajectory, potentially unlocking broader patient access amid a projected $50B+ cell therapy market. As biotech consolidates, Modulus' tech could evolve Ginkgo's influence, transforming niche innovations into scalable standards—echoing its founding mission to mainstream safer cell therapies for millions.[2][4]
Modulus Therapeutics has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Modulus Therapeutics's investors include Madrona Ventures, KdT Ventures, Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence.