Prolific Machines develops a photomolecular biology platform that leverages optogenetics, proprietary hardware, and AI to deliver precise, light-driven control of cellular processes across cell types. The company positions its technology for biomanufacturing applications ranging from nutritional proteins to lifesaving biologics and novel biosolutions. With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Prolific will apply its platform to demonstrate lower-cost production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) aimed at preventing infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV, and RSV in low- and middle-income countries. The effort targets reduced cost per dose and improved product quality to expand access in regions where mAbs are currently unaffordable. Prolific says successful methods could be readily applied to other unmet medical needs and enable broad implementation in vulnerable populations. The company is based in Emeryville, Calif., and is supported by investors including The Ki Tua Fund (Fonterra’s corporate venture arm), Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield, SOSV, In-Q-Tel, and others. The Gates Foundation grant amount was not disclosed in the announcement. Prolific Machines builds a photomolecular/optogenetic platform that leverages light-sensitive proteins and genetic methods to manipulate cellular activity. The company targets biomanufacturing applications across pharmaceuticals and cultivated meat to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and product quality. Its approach uses precise light signals to steer cellular behavior, emphasizing precision engineering and scalability. Environmental sustainability is cited as a core goal of their platform and processes. The company announced a $55 million Series B1 round led by the Ki Tua Fund, reflecting investor backing for commercialization. The articles reference both California and Kirkland, Washington as locations and mention founding years of 2016 and 2020 in different places within the coverage. Prolific Machines is inventing scalable biomanufacturing technology to grow and differentiate stem cells at dramatically lower cost relative to conventional methods, with an initial focus on cultured meat. Unlike other cultured meat companies, Prolific prioritizes inventing the scalable manufacturing process first and aims to enable an assembly line for biology that could be made available to other meat companies. The company says its approach can grow and control cells without the need for recombinant proteins, reducing one of the most expensive inputs in cell production. The founding team includes CEO and co-founder Dr. Deniz Kent, co-founder Dr. Max Huisman, and machine‑learning engineer Declan Jones; Kent conceived the idea after witnessing the Syrian refugee crisis in Antioch, Turkey. Prolific is building a 25,000 square foot HQ in Emeryville and is ramping up hiring to expand its assembly line programs across fish, poultry, and beef. Financially, the company announced massively oversubscribed Seed and Series A financings totaling $42M, and was incubated and pre-seeded by IndieBio (SOSV).

Total raised

$97M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Jun 2024