ProFound Therapeutics secured an investment commitment of up to $35 million from the Gates Foundation to expand its human proteome research into women’s health.
An initial $20 million investment will support the company’s ProFoundry platform and agentic AI capabilities to identify novel biomarkers and first-in-class protein drugs for preeclampsia and eclampsia, which affect an estimated 10 million women globally each year and contribute to approximately 76,000 maternal deaths.
The program will analyze novel proteins from the expanded proteome expressed in the placenta and serum of women diagnosed with preeclampsia and eclampsia. ProFound also plans to develop a targeted AI tool for women with the conditions.
“Preeclampsia and eclampsia are devastating conditions for mothers and families across the globe, yet little is known about the underlying biology driving these diseases and therapeutic options remain limited,” said John Lepore, M.D., CEO of ProFound Therapeutics and Flagship Pioneering CEO-Partner. “The expanded proteome represents a vast and largely untapped resource for identifying novel protein drugs, drug targets, and biomarkers for diseases with significant unmet need. This funding from the Gates Foundation gives us the opportunity to translate this scientific innovation into meaningful global impact for women affected by these chronically underserved conditions.”
