Participated · Series A · May 2025

Persist AI offers an AI-driven robotics platform and Cloud Lab that lets pharmaceutical scientists remotely predict, build, and test formulations using miniaturized, automated laboratory facilities. Its AI models generate formulation recipes and the robotic systems execute high-throughput experiments, dramatically reducing material use and timelines. In a recent engagement, Persist identified an optimal long-acting injectable in two months by building and testing 700 formulations, versus an industry standard of roughly 10–15 formulations per month. The Cloud Lab supports modalities including peptides, small molecules, antibodies, and antisense oligonucleotides, and serves multiple top-10 pharmaceutical clients as well as smaller biotechs. Persist plans to expand its robotic lab, broaden the range of formulations its models can predict and test, and build comprehensive datasets to improve its AI. The company is Y Combinator–backed (graduated 2023) and recently closed a $12 million Series A to fund these efforts. Persist AI is an AI-driven drug formulation company based in Woodland, CA. The company has developed robotics that enable automated development of long-acting injectable formulations. Coupled with AI models, their technology rapidly predicts which formulations will release drugs in the body for an extended period and reduce the number of injections patients need. Led by CEO Karthik Raman, Persist AI completed YCombinator and subsequently raised $4M in seed financing. The round was led by 2048 Ventures with participation from Innospark Ventures, Fellows Fund, YCombinator, Pioneer Fund and others. Persist AI intends to use the funds to expand operations and further its development efforts.

Participated · Equity · Dec 2020

Mekonos has developed a novel chip-based technology platform—an integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC)—for targeted ex‑vivo gene engineering that enables single‑cell delivery and multiplexed payload delivery with localized dose control. The platform supports multi‑payload physical delivery (multiplexing) into cells with repeatable and localized dose control for precise and scalable cell engineering. Demonstration pilot projects with top pharmaceutical and research labs have shown high cell viability and uptake for delivery of CRISPR and other payloads into immune cells, stem cells, and other fragile cell types. The company intends to advance its MEMS, microfluidics, biology, and business development functions to commercialize the SoC and scale partnerships. Mekonos is led by CEO Anil Narasimha and is an alum of Berkeley Launch, Berkeley SkyDeck, Creative Destruction Lab, and was named a 2018 Fierce 15 startup. Mekonos is developing a system-on-a-chip (SoC) for targeted ex vivo gene engineering. The SoC platform, with IP from Stanford University, enables molecular delivery for gene editing and synthetic biology. The company completed a $4.6m financing and will use the proceeds to accelerate the SoC platform for current and new commercial partnerships. Mekonos recently completed pilots with top pharmaceutical companies and research institutes that demonstrated high efficacy of modified gene expression and cell viability. Led by Co‑Founder and CEO Anil Narasimha, PhD, the company aims to increase capacity, accelerate discoveries, and develop new pre-clinical assets in the cell and gene therapy space. Financially, it has completed a $4.6m financing round led by Novartis to support platform advancement and partnership expansion.