At a Glance
- Company: Hologen (UCL/Kings College London spinout)
- Location: UK-based (spun from London universities)
- Deal value: $150m Series A fundraising
- Focus area: Large medicine models for late-stage trials
- Next steps: Led by Averin and Atlas investors
What happened?
Hologen, an AI biotech co-founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, is seeking $150 million in a Series A round as reported on 28 January 2026. The secretive startup, spun out of University College London and King’s College London, has seed backing from Schmidt and SW7 family office; the pitch targets building “large medicine models” to unmask treatment effects in late-stage trials.
Why does it matter?
Late-stage trials cost billions with high failure rates due to patient variability; AI models accounting for biological differences could de-risk programmes, accelerate approvals and cut costs for sponsors. Builds on prior Hologen deals like $430m MeiraGTx Parkinson’s venture, validating multimodal AI in neuro and beyond.
Who’s behind it?
Schmidt (ex-Google CEO) co-founded; chief AI officer Jorge Cardoso’s team created MONAI imaging AI; exclusive 8-year NHS data partnerships fuel models. Hologen blends drug development, diagnostics and investment.
How was it achieved?
“Large medicine models” leverage generative AI trained on multimodal NHS data to predict individual responses, optimise cohorts and reveal true efficacy signals hidden in heterogeneous populations.
What’s next?
Close Series A to scale platform; potential applications in de-risking phase 3 trials via patient stratification and synthetic controls.
What are people saying?
Pitch deck: Models will “de-risk billion-dollar clinical trials” using MONAI/NHS data. Prior MeiraGTx CEO Forbes: Hologen AI characterised “disease modification… with unprecedented fidelity.”