Mandrake Bio has secured Rs 16 crore in funding to develop an AI-powered gene-editing platform with applications in agriculture and medicine. The company, based in Bengaluru, aims to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the precision and efficiency of gene-editing technologies. This investment will be used to grow Mandrake's AI and biophysics teams and to advance the 'wet-lab' validation of its platform, a critical step in proving the practicality of its innovations.

Founded in 2025 by Tanay Lohia and Kutubuddin Molla, Mandrake Bio has built a team of 10 members, including AI researchers, computational biologists, and molecular scientists. The startup is focused on merging AI with biological sciences to create scalable solutions for gene-editing. This interdisciplinary approach is seen as a key driver for the next wave of AI breakthroughs, as highlighted by Pratyush Choudhury, cofounder of Activate, who emphasized the importance of applying AI to fields like biology and materials science.

The funding comes at a time when the cost of existing gene-editing therapies can range between $2 million and $2.5 million for a single edit. Mandrake's platform aims to reduce these costs significantly, potentially bringing them down to around Rs 50-60 lakh in the future. This could make gene-editing more accessible for both agricultural and medical applications, addressing a major barrier to widespread adoption of these technologies.

In India, the development of AI-powered gene-editing platforms may face regulatory scrutiny from bodies like TRAI, which oversees technology and communications. The startup's success could influence how Indian regulators approach the integration of AI in biotechnology, potentially setting new standards for innovation and oversight in this space.

Mandrake Bio's progress is still in its early stages, but the company's focus on combining AI with gene-editing has the potential to reshape both the agricultural and medical sectors. As the startup continues to refine its platform, it may face challenges related to scaling, governance, and market adoption. However, the growing interest in AI-driven biotechnology suggests that Mandrake's efforts could have a lasting impact on the field.