Aiming to transform how diseases are understood and treated, predictive genomics drug discovery company OutSee has raised £1.8M in seed funding. The Cambridge-based startup, which uses AI to uncover therapeutic targets directly from genomic data, plans to expand its in-house target pipeline and partner with major pharma and biotech firms.
For drug developers overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of human disease and the limitations of conventional genomics tools, OutSee’s breakthrough could not be timelier. While most existing technologies rely on identifying known patterns in massive datasets, OutSee’s approach focuses instead on unearthing disease mechanisms that other methods miss-using even small or previously processed datasets.
Nomaly technology brings new clarity to overlooked genetic data
At the heart of OutSee’s platform is Nomaly, a proprietary AI engine developed by founder and CEO Dr Julian Gough. Unlike traditional target discovery systems, Nomaly uses hypothesis-free modelling to predict disease and phenotype directly from a single genome. This “genomics-first” strategy allows researchers to generate insights from smaller cohorts or data previously considered too complex to interpret.
By revealing hidden disease mechanisms, Nomaly enables therapeutic teams to identify new targets in conditions with high unmet medical need. OutSee is currently applying the technology to central nervous system disorders, rare diseases and metabolic conditions.
OutSee’s CEO Dr Gough said: “OutSee’s Nomaly technology is a truly next-generation genomic analysis tool with the potential to transform drug discovery using powerful data-driven insights. It allows us to interrogate smaller datasets, and even data that has already been analysed, to uncover unique target insights that until now would have remained undetected. I would like to thank our investors, whose support in this endeavour will be crucial in allowing us to build out our in-house target identification program and establish new collaborative partnerships, and to our team for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Investors back a ‘genetics-first’ approach to drug discovery
The seed funding round was led by Ahren Innovation Capital, with participation from Kadmos Capital, Empirical Ventures, and Panacea Ventures. The investors bring deep experience in supporting science-led ventures, with Ahren known for its portfolio in transformative biology, including investments in AI drug discovery and synthetic biology.
Commenting on the funding, Dr Joanna Green, Principal at Ahren Innovation Capital, said: “OutSee’s genomics first approach goes far beyond existing technologies, enabling therapeutic developers to precisely comb their data in a way that has never before been possible. Nomaly has great potential to unlock a deeper understanding of genomic data, discover new therapeutic targets and drive the development of next-generation treatments for the entire spectrum of human disease. I look forward to seeing OutSee’s continued growth and success, and to working closely with Julian and the team to support them through this journey.”
Dr Johnathan Matlock, Co-Founder and General Partner at Empirical Ventures, added: “At Empirical Ventures, we’re seeking out companies that push beyond the boundaries of conventional methods in their fields to significantly enhance the real-world impact of these industries. It’s for this reason that we are delighted to be supporting the team at OutSee as it advances a solution that will unlock the future of target ID for drug discovery. The entrepreneurial drive and deep expertise of the team, under Julian’s leadership, position OutSee at the forefront of this important progress in the drug discovery industry, with its work capable of redefining the treatment of patients suffering from devastating diseases.”
A team with roots in genomics innovation and data science
OutSee was founded by Dr Julian Gough, a globally recognised leader in systems biology and genome informatics. Before launching OutSee, Dr Gough held academic roles at the University of Bristol and University of Cambridge, where he led teams focused on protein function prediction and computational genomics. His work has been cited over 20,000 times, reflecting deep influence in the bioinformatics community.
The company has also received more than £500K in grant funding from Innovate UK to support the expansion of Nomaly and its application to dementia research. In addition, OutSee has partnered with Genomics England and FinnGen, underscoring growing demand for its unique capabilities in patient stratification and target discovery.
From Cambridge to the clinic: The future of predictive genomics drug discovery
With the new funding, OutSee plans to grow its internal team, expand its CNS and rare disease target discovery programs, and form collaborations with industry partners across the therapeutic development pipeline. The company is also exploring additional investment opportunities to support the development of new applications for Nomaly across precision medicine and biomarker discovery.
Chair of OutSee, Dr Paul Wallace, said: “I would like to thank our investors and partners for their support and for their confidence in our mission to drive therapeutic discovery through our pioneering, genetics-first predictive genomics approach. This funding will enable us to leverage the full potential of Nomaly to uncover new therapeutic targets and bolster our in-house pipeline. We remain open to additional investment opportunities, and welcome enquiries from interested pharma and biotech industry partners.”
A new era for genomic drug discovery
OutSee’s emergence comes as biotech firms and pharmaceutical companies seek new tools to reduce the high costs and long timelines of drug development. Its AI-based platform offers a path to identify therapeutic targets that have previously been invisible, using datasets often considered too small or unpromising.
By focusing on predictive genomics drug discovery, OutSee is not just enhancing what’s possible with today’s tools-it is redefining what’s feasible in the first place.
