Agency provides $6.3M, offering up to $300K to each of 42 awardees during AI BTO Pitch Day
Dec 20, 2024
By driving groundbreaking scientific innovation at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), DARPA seeks to not only push the boundaries of what is possible but to also attract and cultivate top-tier talent passionate about shaping the future of this transformative field. To support these goals, the agency hosted the AI BTO Pitch Day in Washington on December 5-6, 2024, selecting and rapidly awarding 42 projects at the intersection of AI/ML and biotechnology.
The event aimed to generate novel datasets and showcase innovative AI/Machine Learning. DARPA also showcased its ability to award same-day agreements at-scale. Of the 77 presenters down-selected based on white paper submissions, 29 of the 42 awardees are new performers to DARPA. AI BTO benefited from partnerships across the Department of Defense, national laboratories, venture capital, and innovation partners. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) provided additional support for program growth .
To participate in the AI BTO Pitch Day, offerors submitted white papers outlining their ideas. Selected proposals were awarded Research Other Transaction Agreements of $100,000, $200,000, or $300,000, with the maximum funding for any single proposer set at $300,000.
“Seventy percent of participants self-reported this was their first engagement with DARPA, and we’re excited to begin working with these innovative teams,” said Dr. Michael Koeris, director of DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO). “However, for those not awarded funding, this is just the beginning. There are many opportunities to engage with BTO, from broad agency announcements to seedling efforts, and we encourage continued collaboration.”
DARPA awarded the following organizations in the category of Predication and Health:
- Continuity Technologies, Inc.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology*
- PathCision Medicine, Inc.
- Potent Bio, LLC
- University of California, Davis
DARPA awarded the following organizations in the category of Autonomous Science:
- Aptima Inc.*
- Avery Digital Data Inc.*
- Cerillo Inc.*
- Pangio Biosystems Inc.
DARPA awarded the following organizations in the category of Biomanufacturing/Synthetic Biology:
- Anthology Biotechnologies, Inc.
- Arzeda Corp.
- Birch Biosciences, LLC
- Bolt Threads, Inc.
- DeepSeq.AI, Inc
- Ecovative LLC
- Forage Evolution LLC
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology*
- Ohr Synbiosis, Inc
- Pando Bioscience, Inc.*
- Sciperio, Inc.*
- Speculative Technologies, Inc.
- Stemloop, Inc.
- Tatta Bio*
- University of Central Florida
- Wyss Institute
DARPA awarded the following organizations in the category of Challenges with Scale:
- California Institute of Technology
- Fieldstone Bio, Inc.
- Lamarck Labs, Inc.
- Panluminate, Inc.
- Potent Bio, LLC
- Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.
DARPA awarded the following organizations in the category of Exciting Frontiers:
- Aptamino, Inc.
- Duke University
- GeneFab, LLC
- Jorna Therapeutics, Inc
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Project Biosecurity, Inc
- Pumpkinseed Technologies Inc.
- Tessel Biosciences, Inc.
- University of Florida
- Voltaris, LLC
- x10e, Inc.
"We aim for this event to drive meaningful change in the way proposals are solicited, reviewed, and contracted, enhancing the agency's ability to fulfill its mission," added Koeris.
For information on future opportunities, please visit:
*Denotes ARPA-H program funding support
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