Kerna Laboratories

Kerna Laboratories, a San Francisco-based AI biotechnology firm, is positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and genetic medicine. Founded in 2024, the company emerged from stealth in January 2025 with the launch of an AI platform designed to develop novel RNA-based medicines. The business was established by a team of veterans from the biotech industry: Julia Peng serves as CEO, alongside co-founders Amit Deshwar (former SVP at Deep Genomics), Melissa J. Moore (former CSO of Moderna), and Michael Swift (Founding Scientist). This leadership team brings together deep expertise in both mRNA technology and AI-driven sequence design to address key challenges in the field.

The company's core focus is on solving the critical bottlenecks of mRNA payload design and delivery that have historically limited the application of mRNA technology primarily to infectious diseases. Kerna Labs employs next-generation foundation models of RNA and machine learning to design and optimize mRNA sequences. The platform aims to identify sequences that exhibit enhanced stability, protein output, and tissue-specificity, thereby improving the overall therapeutic efficacy. This involves analyzing the entire mRNA sequence, including the untranslated regions (UTRs), which are crucial for governing translation efficiency and mRNA stability. By treating biology as a software problem, Kerna intends to shorten the development timeline for new treatments from months to weeks.

Kerna Laboratories operates in the biotechnology market, specifically targeting the expanding field of mRNA therapeutics. Its primary clients are entities within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries that require advanced solutions for developing genetic medicines. The company's business model centers on leveraging its proprietary AI platform to create therapeutically optimized mRNA sequences for a new generation of programmable medicines. Shortly after its public launch, Kerna closed an oversubscribed seed funding round of an undisclosed amount. The round was supported by a consortium of investors including Gradient, Humba Ventures, Tau Ventures, Pioneer Fund, and Focalpoint Partners, as well as prominent angel investors. This capital is being used to expand operations and accelerate development efforts.

Keywords: mRNA therapeutics, AI biotechnology, genetic medicine, RNA-based medicines, foundation models for RNA, payload design, drug discovery, computational biology, sequence optimization, untranslated regions, UTR engineering, therapeutic innovation, protein replacement therapy, AI drug development, programmable medicines, gene therapy, next-generation sequencing, biotech startup, genetic engineering, molecular biology