{
  "id": 18328399,
  "title": "Venomics AI Raises $2.7 Mn To Turn Venom Into Medicine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/venomics-ai-raises-2-7-mn-to-turn-venom-into-medicine",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-05T14:46:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Inc42",
    "slug": "inc42",
    "url": "https://inc42.com/buzz/venomics-ai-raises-2-7-mn-to-turn-venom-into-medicine/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bengaluru-based biotech startup Venomics AI has secured $2.7 Mn (approximately ₹25.5 Cr) in pre-seed funding to transform venom into potential medicines. The round was co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with Operators Studio also participating. Venomics AI, an offshoot of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), employs venom biology, AI, and experimental screening to uncover and develop venom-derived molecules into promising therapeutic leads. The new capital will fuel the expansion of 'Venom Atlas', a molecular database of venom-derived compounds, and bolster its AI and lab screening capabilities. The startup also aims to grow its workforce in venom biology, computational science, and drug discovery, while aiding the validation and optimization of promising molecules. Founded in 2026 by Kartik Sunagar and Vinay Prabhu, Venomics AI seeks to tap into the largely unexplored molecular diversity present in animal venoms, which have evolved over millions of years to interact with specific biological targets. Some of these compounds have already paved the way for medicines. However, a significant portion of the molecular diversity across venomous species remains uncharted territory, offering a vast opportunity for drug discovery. Venomics AI is constructing a platform that merges molecular sequencing and venom biology to map this diversity via its Venom Atlas. Subsequently, AI is utilized to prioritize promising molecular candidates, which are then validated through functional laboratory screening. Sunagar expressed enthusiasm, stating, \"Animal venoms represent one of nature's richest yet least explored sources of potential medicines, and at Venomics AI, we are blending cutting-edge experimental science with artificial intelligence to unlock this extraordinary potential.\" India's bioeconomy is poised to reach $300 Bn by 2030, fueled by the nation's rapid ascension to a global biotechnology hub. The biotech sector in the country has been flourishing, with over 11,000 biotech startups calling India home. Furthermore, the Budget 2027 saw the introduction of a 'Biopharma SHAKTI' scheme, earmarked at ₹10,000 Cr. Investor interest in this sector has been steadily growing, with Cellogen Therapeutics raising ₹20 Cr from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers (Kotak Alts) earlier this year, and StrainX Bioworks securing $13 Mn in a funding round led by Prime Venture Partners and Leo Capital.",
  "summary": "Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup Venomics AI has raised $2.7 Mn (around ₹25.5 Cr) in a pre-seed funding round co-led by Speciale…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}