
Helical is focused on providing open-source bio foundation models, particularly in the realm of single-cell analysis, enabling scientists to leverage advanced AI tools for their research. Their platform offers a community-driven approach, allowing users to fine-tune and integrate these models into their workflows, thereby enhancing research capabilities in the biological sciences. With a commitment to accessibility and collaboration, Helical positions itself as a key player in the AI for bio sector, catering to researchers and developers looking for innovative solutions.

Helical is focused on providing open-source bio foundation models, particularly in the realm of single-cell analysis, enabling scientists to leverage advanced AI tools for their research. Their platform offers a community-driven approach, allowing users to fine-tune and integrate these models into their workflows, thereby enhancing research capabilities in the biological sciences. With a commitment to accessibility and collaboration, Helical positions itself as a key player in the AI for bio sector, catering to researchers and developers looking for innovative solutions.
What they do: Platform for Bio Foundation Models enabling in-silico experiments for drug discovery and R&D
HQ: Luxembourg
Stage / funding: Seed (closed Jun 28, 2024)
Founders: Mathieu Klop; Maxime Allard; Rick Schneider
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Drug discovery and pharmaceutical R&D using AI-driven in-silico experiments
2024
Biotechnology Research
Reported seed round with seven investors
“Has participation from early-stage investors and angel/backer set including Frst and named investors”
We’re looking for a Senior Computational Scientist to help translate our foundation models into impactful, real-world discovery workflows. In this role, you’ll provide scientific leadership across model evaluation and applied use cases, ensuring our work stays grounded in the most relevant challenges in drug development and translational research.
You’ll join as a senior individual contributor, reporting to the Head of Computational Biology, with the opportunity to grow into management as the team scales. You will act as a key scientific partner to our research team, mentor and support junior colleagues, and work closely with Product and Business Development to turn cutting-edge biology + ML into deliverables that matter for customers.
PhD in Computational Biology, Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, or a related field, with a strong focus on single-cell + ML, and 2+ years of industry (non-academic) experience OR MSc in a relevant field and 5+ years of industry experience applying ML to single-cell / omics problems
Strong understanding of ML/AI methods for biological data (e.g., transformers, VAEs, diffusion models, classical ML)
Hands-on experience with modern ML frameworks such as PyTorch (or equivalent)
Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex science into clear, actionable insights for technical and non-technical stakeholders
Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-iteration environment, moving quickly from prototype → experiment → insight
Strong passion for building at the intersection of biology and machine learning