Venomics AI, a biotechnology company spun out of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has raised US$2.7 million in its first institutional funding round. The pre-seed round was co-led by Speciale Invest and South Park Commons, with participation from Operators Studio. The company combines venom biology, artificial intelligence, and experimental screening to discover and develop venom-derived molecules into therapeutic leads. The funding will support the expansion of the Venom Atlas, the company’s growing molecular dataset, and strengthen its AI and laboratory screening capabilities. Venomics AI will also build its multidisciplinary team across venom biology, computational science, and drug discovery, and support the validation and optimisation of promising molecules. Animal venoms contain diverse molecules shaped by millions of years of evolution to act on biological targets, and existing drugs such as captopril and ziconotide illustrate this potential, though much of the molecular diversity across venomous species remains unexplored. Venomics AI aims to investigate this diversity at scale through a platform that combines molecular sequencing and venom biology to build the Venom Atlas, uses AI to prioritise candidates, and tests predictions through functional screening in the laboratory. Kartik Sunagar, Founder and Director of Venomics AI and Professor at IISc, said the investment accelerates the company’s vision of building a world-class drug discovery platform leveraging India’s biodiversity and scientific talent. Venomics AI was co-founded by Sunagar and Vinay Prabhu, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer.