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§ Private Profile · Cambridge, United Kingdom
Shift Bioscience is a technology company.
Shift Bioscience is a biotechnology firm dedicated to reversing biological aging through cellular rejuvenation, developing novel therapies for age-driven diseases. The company employs advanced cell biology and machine learning, leveraging a proprietary single-cell aging clock and virtual cell models to identify genetic targets for safe cellular age reversal. This approach allows them to rapidly screen and validate potential therapeutic interventions, including single-gene targets like SB000, without altering cell identity.
The company was co-founded in 2017 by Dr. Daniel Ives, who serves as CEO, and Dr. Brendan Swain, the CSO. Their foundational insight stemmed from the recognition that aging drives numerous diseases and the potential to mitigate morbidity and mortality by uncovering the precise biology of cell rejuvenation. Both founders bring scientific expertise, complementing a broader team with experience from prominent pharmaceutical companies, conducting research at the University of Cambridge and Toronto.
Shift Bioscience is advancing a pipeline of therapeutic candidates aimed at various age-related conditions, such as age-related hearing loss, liver fibrosis, and systemic sclerosis. Their overarching mission is to safely translate the understanding of cellular rejuvenation into effective treatments, ultimately working to extend a healthy human lifespan by addressing the fundamental processes of aging.
Shift Bioscience has raised $16.0M across 1 funding round.
Shift Bioscience has raised $16.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Shift Bioscience has raised $16.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $16.0M Seed in October 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2024 | $16M Seed | BGF | Amadeus Capital Partners, Downing Ventures, Parkwalk Advisors | Announced |
Shift Bioscience is a biotechnology company developing AI-powered cell simulation platforms to achieve safe cellular rejuvenation, aiming to reverse aging and treat age-related diseases without altering cell identity.[1][2][3] It builds virtual cell technology that integrates machine learning with multiomic datasets to identify rejuvenation targets, such as novel genes like SB000, targeting conditions including age-driven hearing loss, MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), and systemic sclerosis.[1][4][6] The company serves the healthcare and biotech research sectors by providing aging biomarker development and gene-based interventions, with a pipeline progressing toward human-validated cellular age reversal.[1][2] Founded in 2017 and based in Cambridge, UK, Shift has raised $18M in funding, demonstrating growth through seed investments and facility expansions.[3][4]
Shift Bioscience was founded in 2017 by Dr. Daniel Ives (CEO) and Dr. Brendan Swain (CSO), leveraging facilities at the University of Cambridge's Gurdon Institute, a computational team in Toronto, Canada, and drug development expertise from alumni of Alnylam, Moderna, and GSK.[1] The idea emerged from advances in epigenetic research and machine learning, focusing on safer cellular reprogramming to avoid pluripotency-inducing genes that risk cancer.[3] Early traction included proprietary multiomic datasets and virtual cell models, culminating in a $16M seed round in 2024 led by BGF, with participation from F-Prime Capital, Kindred Capital, and Jonathan Milner, bringing total funding to $18M.[4] Pivotal moments feature presentations at the 2024 Gordon Research Conference on Systems Aging and the discovery of SB000, a single-gene target for rejuvenation.[4][6]
Shift Bioscience stands out in biotech through its integration of AI and cell biology for accelerated target discovery:
Shift Bioscience rides the convergence of AI and longevity biotech, capitalizing on trends in cellular reprogramming pioneered by figures like David Sinclair and Yamanaka, but with a safer, simulation-guided twist.[3] Timing aligns with surging investor interest in age-reversal tech—evidenced by its early funding as one of the first cell simulation biotechs—and regulatory shifts toward preventive healthcare over reactive sick-care.[2][4] Market forces like aging populations, AI advancements in drug discovery (e.g., AlphaFold's impact), and multiomic data explosion favor Shift, enabling faster pipelines for diseases like hearing loss and MASH.[1][4] It influences the ecosystem by open-sourcing metric frameworks, attracting top talent, and partnering with VCs like F-Prime, potentially shifting biotech from trial-and-error to predictive modeling.[1][8]
Shift Bioscience is poised to advance its pipeline into clinical trials, prioritizing SB000 and expanding IP around AI-discovered rejuvenation genes, fueled by North American expansion and further platform refinements.[6][7] Trends like multimodal AI integration and epigenetic therapeutics will shape its path, amplifying impact amid a $100B+ longevity market. Its influence may evolve from target discovery to leading preventative medicine, validating cellular age reversal in humans and inspiring AI-biotech hybrids—positioning it as a frontrunner in ending aging's morbidity.[1][4]
Shift Bioscience has raised $16.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Shift Bioscience's investors include BGF, Amadeus Capital Partners, Downing Ventures, Parkwalk Advisors.