
PentaBind designs high-performance aptamers to accelerate therapeutic and diagnostic development with fewer experimental iterations. The company combines generative AI and machine learning models with an integrated wet-laboratory platform and laboratory automation to design aptamers with multiple drug-like qualities in a single step, reducing reliance on traditional SELEX screening. Its technology stack centers on Generative AI, AI-driven design, SELEX-informed workflows, and lab automation, and the company operates as a hybrid B2B SaaS and services provider while also advancing its own pipeline assets. Target customers include biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical researchers pursuing precision therapeutics and targeted delivery applications.

PentaBind designs high-performance aptamers to accelerate therapeutic and diagnostic development with fewer experimental iterations. The company combines generative AI and machine learning models with an integrated wet-laboratory platform and laboratory automation to design aptamers with multiple drug-like qualities in a single step, reducing reliance on traditional SELEX screening. Its technology stack centers on Generative AI, AI-driven design, SELEX-informed workflows, and lab automation, and the company operates as a hybrid B2B SaaS and services provider while also advancing its own pipeline assets. Target customers include biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical researchers pursuing precision therapeutics and targeted delivery applications.
What they do: Generative AI + integrated wet lab to design multi-attribute, drug-like aptamers for therapeutics and diagnostics
Stage / funding: Pre-seed; reported total funding US$959,000; latest round Jan 11, 2024
Location: London, UK (West/White City)
Business model: Hybrid B2B SaaS and services while advancing internal pipeline assets
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Accelerating discovery of therapeutic and diagnostic aptamers; improving efficiency and multi-attribute optimization compared with traditional SELEX workflows.
2021
Biotechnology Research
Latest reported round on Crunchbase; company lists Twin Path Ventures and Entrepreneurs First among investors
“Twin Path Ventures; Entrepreneurs First; additional support listed from KQ Labs and Cancer Research Horizons”
About Us
PentaBind is the first aptamer discovery company using AI and a fully-integrated wet laboratory to design a new generation of alternative oligo therapeutics. Our pioneering platform already improves the experimental search space by 300x, generating therapeutic aptamers for urgent clinical needs within oncology, rare and neurodegenerative diseases. In collaboration with global partners, we also design custom aptamers for a variety of industries including diagnostics, health monitoring, and manufacturing.
We are a VC-backed pre-seed startup with a lab in White City, supported by Hoxton Ventures, Twin Path, Entrepreneur First, KQ labs among others. Currently a team of 12, and growing to 21 people in the next 12 months. PentaBind has been shortlisted as New Startup of the Year by Cancer Research Horizons, and also as Deep Tech Investment of the Year by the UK Business Angels Association, a prestigious award sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Our Vision
PentaBind envisions a future where AI powers truly personalised and precise healthcare through next-generation aptamer technology. We’re revolutionising medicine, transforming how therapies, diagnostics, and manufacturing are designed to improve lives worldwide.
The Role
As a Scientist I, you will support internal R&D projects, client projects and drug discovery programmes in the context of an early-stage AI drug discovery company. You will focus on performing aptamer discovery pipelines as part of our AI-wet-lab feedback loop, for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. This position will also support and perform biophysical, biochemical and oligochemistry functions with respect to the in vitro design and optimisation of aptamer-based cytotoxic conjugates and radiopharmaceuticals. You will play a key role in the progression of internal therapeutic assets through the development of critical pharmacology assays and gain exposure to key aspects of preclinical discovery including in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies. The position will offer outstanding opportunities to work on state-of-the-art high-throughput screening platforms, automation, and work at Imperial, the Translation & Innovation I-HUB and London Biofoundry. This role is ideally suited for a motivated experimental scientist who is passionate about oligonucleotides, pharmaceuticals and technology.
Key Responsibilities
Ideal Candidate (essential)
Desirable Candidate (not essential)
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply here (https://www.pentabind.com/careers) along with your CV.