
Leash Biosciences builds experimental datasets and machine learning models to accelerate discovery of novel small-molecule medicines. The company generates high-quality, purpose-built experimental data by making physical measurements across many protein targets using automated in-house protein production and screening large DNA-encoded chemical libraries. It applies machine learning models trained on that controlled dataset to predict compound–target relationships and guide medicinal chemistry. Leash operates as a B2B drug discovery platform serving biotech and pharmaceutical customers and aims to generalize its models across diverse proteins to enable faster lead identification.

Leash Biosciences builds experimental datasets and machine learning models to accelerate discovery of novel small-molecule medicines. The company generates high-quality, purpose-built experimental data by making physical measurements across many protein targets using automated in-house protein production and screening large DNA-encoded chemical libraries. It applies machine learning models trained on that controlled dataset to predict compound–target relationships and guide medicinal chemistry. Leash operates as a B2B drug discovery platform serving biotech and pharmaceutical customers and aims to generalize its models across diverse proteins to enable faster lead identification.
Founded: 2021 (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Focus: Machine learning for medicinal chemistry and small‑molecule drug design
Latest financing: Seed $9.3M (Apr 2024), led by SpringTide Ventures
Leadership: Ian Quigley (Co‑Founder & CEO); Andrew Blevins (CTO & Co‑founder)
Business model: B2B drug‑discovery platform selling data and ML models to biotech/pharma
Team size (snapshot): ~12 employees
Medicinal chemistry and small‑molecule drug discovery
2021
Biotechnology
$9.3M
Other disclosed participants include Mitsui Global Investment, MFV Partners, MetaPlanet, Top Harvest Capital and individual investors such as Chris Gibson and Blake Borgeson.
“Seed round led by SpringTide Ventures with participation from Mitsui Global Investment, MFV Partners, MetaPlanet, Top Harvest Capital and individual investors including Chris Gibson and Blake Borgeson.”