Making complex proteins easier to manufacture
A protein can look promising in a computer model yet be difficult to produce in a cell. Avenue tests thousands of signal peptides: short sequences that guide a protein through the cell’s machinery for folding, modification and secretion. Laboratory results feed machine-learning models used to improve subsequent experiments.
Scaling the science and customer work
Co-founders operate across California and Helsinki, building on research at the University of Helsinki. Balnord and Tesi co-led the $5.7 million extension. In a separate interview, COO Katja Rosti said the capital would primarily support wet-lab scientists, core technology and customer projects.
Where the funding goes
- Scaling the protein-engineering platform
- Hiring wet-lab scientists for technology development and customer projects