# Profluent

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/companies/profluent
Profluent trains large language models on protein sequences to design new proteins, starting with gene editors. Its OpenCRISPR-1 was the first AI-designed CRISPR editor to edit human DNA.

## In brief

- ProGen3 showed protein models get better with scale, like chatbots: bigger models make more varied working proteins.
- Eli Lilly deal (April 2026) worth up to $2.25B in milestones to design recombinases that insert whole genes.
- Raised $106M Series B (Altimeter, Bezos Expeditions) in late 2025; about $150M in total.

## Facts

- Headquarters: US
- Status: private
- Raised: $106M
- Website: https://www.profluent.bio
- Frontiers: [AI](https://technooptimist.io/ai.md) (Biology models), [Biotech](https://technooptimist.io/biotech.md)

## Programs

- [ProGen3 & OpenCRISPR](https://technooptimist.io/ai/progen3.md) (AI): Pilot; next: First AI-designed therapy dosed in humans. Partnered with Lilly (up to $2.25B) and BioMarin; designs still preclinical.

## Technical approach

- **Data: Billions of natural proteins**: Its Protein Atlas holds over 115 billion unique protein sequences mined from genomes, the raw text its models learn from.
- **Models: Language models for proteins**: ProGen models learn the grammar of protein sequences and write new ones, as chat models write sentences.
- **Editors: Gene editors first**: It designs CRISPR nucleases, base editors and recombinases, then licenses them or co-develops medicines with partners.

## Open problems

- **From lab to patients** (open): No Profluent-designed protein has yet been dosed in people; the stated goal is a first AI-designed therapy in the clinic.

## Latest updates

- **28 Apr 2026**: Eli Lilly signs deal worth up to $2.25B with Profluent for AI-designed gene editors. Lilly partnered with Profluent to design recombinases, enzymes that could insert entire genes into a patient's DNA rather than snip or swap letters. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/eli-lilly-signs-deal-worth-up-to-2-25b-with-profluent-for-ai-designed-f96fe9f4.md) · [original source](https://www.statnews.com/2026/04/28/eli-lilly-crispr-gene-editing-deal-profluent-ai/))
- **19 Nov 2025**: Profluent raises $106M Series B co-led by Altimeter and Bezos Expeditions. Profluent raised $106 million, bringing its total to $150 million, to scale its protein models and move beyond gene editing into antibodies, enzymes and other formats. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/profluent-raises-106m-series-b-co-led-by-altimeter-and-bezos-expeditions-6abacf7e.md) · [original source](https://www.bioxconomy.com/investment/profluent-raises-106m-to-advance-ai-driven-protein-design-platform))
- **16 Apr 2025**: Profluent unveils ProGen3, reporting scaling laws for protein-design models. Profluent said its ProGen3 models follow scaling laws: larger models trained on more protein data generate more diverse proteins that still work in the lab and adapt faster to lab feedback. ([our story](https://technooptimist.io/stories/profluent-unveils-progen3-reporting-scaling-laws-for-protein-design-cedc929e.md) · [original source](https://fortune.com/2025/04/16/biotech-profluent-ai-scaling-laws-protein-design-models-opencrispr-openantibodies/))

## Funding

| Date | Round | Amount | Post-money | Leads |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nov 2025 | Series B | $106M |   | Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions |

## Partners, customers and investors

- Eli Lilly (partner): AI-designed recombinases for genetic medicine; up to $2.25B in milestones (April 2026).
- BioMarin (partner): Partnership to design novel medicines with AI (Sept 2026).
- Corteva (partner): Multi-year collaboration on AI-designed proteins for crops (Oct 2025).
- Integrated DNA Technologies (partner): AI-driven protein design collaboration (Oct 2025).

## People

- Ali Madani, Founder & CEO

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