Optibrium raises multimillions to accelerate growth
The proceeds will accelerate Optibrium’s product development and expand the global reach of its computational chemistry and AI-driven discovery technology. The exact financial details are not being disclosed.
Optibrium is a leading developer of software and AI solutions for molecular design while Shawbrook provides finance to established UK businesses on high growth trajectories.
The deal will enable Optibrium to continue to build its offering to global pharmaceutical and biotech teams, further increasing the speed and efficiency of their drug discovery timelines.
The focus will be on improving the core technologies behind the company’s software portfolio and building technical capabilities to support further global expansion. Areas of development focus will include Optibrium’s generative chemistry, collaborative design and 3D molecular modelling capabilities.
Following continued investment from Kester Capital since February 2021, Optibrium has experienced rapid adoption of its suite of innovative in silico platforms and AI solutions used to successfully navigate the complex challenges of modern drug discovery.
Shawbrook structured the Annual Recurring Revenue-based financing package to provide both immediate capital for current initiatives and committed facilities to support future opportunities.
The market for computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) is fast-growing driven by the increasing sophistication and capabilities of software tools that can deliver material cost and time savings for drug developers. Independent market research predicts that the global CADD market will reach $13.08 billion by 2034, rising from $4.21 billion in 2024 at a CAGR of 1 per cent.
Founded in 2009, and operating in both the UK and US, Optibrium's software platforms combine rigorous scientific research with advanced computational methods. More than 160 global organisations use the company’s suite of innovative software for compound design, optimisation and data analysis, which enables research teams to make more informed decisions earlier in the discovery process.
Ally Henderson, Chief Financial Officer at Optibrium said: “This financing represents another key milestone for Optibrium. It is a validation of the outstanding work being done across our organisation and the value our technology brings to pharmaceutical research.
“The flexible package from Shawbrook supports both our immediate business requirements and longer-term strategic objectives, and we’re excited to see the benefits that this partnership will deliver to our growing customer base.”
Jack Longden, Director at Shawbrook added: “Optibrium is an exciting business which has shown impressive growth since Kester Capital’s investment in 2021. We're delighted to work with both parties and to have structured a flexible financing package that supports the management team's vision for technology advancement and global expansion.”
