Michigan biotech startup CircNova has secured $3.3 million in seed funding to advance its AI-driven drug discovery platform targeting circular RNA (cRNA). This innovative technology holds promise for developing therapies to treat complex diseases currently lacking effective treatments.
CEO Crystal Brown’s journey to biotech founder is both unconventional and inspiring. After a successful career in automotive manufacturing, Brown’s curiosity and desire to explore life sciences led her on a path to biotech startups. She quickly honed her skills in business management and operations, and her success in growing a startup to IPO provided her the foundation for her next venture: CircNova.
CircNova’s proprietary AI engine, NovaEngine, is the first of its kind to predict cRNA structures. By leveraging deep learning, it generates and analyzes novel cRNAs for therapeutic applications. Additionally, CircNova operates a wet lab, enabling the physical production of these molecules for validation and research. This integrated approach allows the team to “reverse engineer” from sequence to structure and vice versa during molecule development.
The goal of CircNova is to tackle unmet medical needs in areas such as ovarian cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and rare genetic diseases. The company’s technology builds upon the research of co-founder Joe Deangelo, an experienced biotech executive.
Brown’s resilience and adaptability are key factors in CircNova’s success. Despite facing setbacks in her previous startup, she received strong support from the Michigan startup community and investors who recognized her potential. With a strategic approach and a focused team, CircNova is poised to revolutionize drug discovery and improve patient outcomes in the years to come.
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