Berlin-based Apheris, a pioneer in federated computing solutions for life sciences, has raised €20.2 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by OTB Ventures and eCAPITAL, with participation from existing investors Octopus Ventures and Heal Capital.
Founded in 2019 by Robin Röhm and Michael Höh, Apheris offers a federated computing platform that enables secure and private collaboration on sensitive data without physically moving it. This ensures compliance with intellectual property (IP) and data governance requirements, addressing key bottlenecks in pharmaceutical R&D and clinical trials.
Apheris serves top-tier clients such as Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and major hospitals, leveraging its platform to unlock the potential of underutilized healthcare data—estimated to comprise 97% of all stored data due to privacy concerns.
CEO Robin Röhm highlighted the significance of the funding:
“This partnership enables us to overcome the critical challenge of accessing large, diverse datasets for AI and machine learning, propelling innovation in the life sciences sector.”
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Supporting Key Projects
Apheris’ Compute Gateway facilitates secure AI model training and data analysis. The platform powers initiatives like the AI Structural Biology Consortium, where leading pharmaceutical companies such as AbbVie, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim collaborate to enhance protein structure predictions for drug discovery.
Scaling Operations with Series A Funding
With this new investment, Apheris plans to:
- Expand its federated computing solutions to biopharmaceutical companies globally.
- Create the largest and most secure life sciences data network by connecting distributed health data.
- Develop advanced AI models, including tools for protein-complex prediction.
- Strengthen its position as a leading secure data collaboration platform with support from cybersecurity-focused investors.
Backing from Industry-Leading Investors
OTB Ventures and eCAPITAL, known for their focus on deep tech and cybersecurity, bring strategic expertise to the german company.
- Hannes Schill, Managing Partner at eCAPITAL, stated: “Apheris is redefining secure data collaboration in life sciences, addressing a crucial gap in healthcare innovation.”
- Marcin Hejka, Managing Partner at OTB Ventures, added: “Their seamless integration of privacy-enhancing technologies positions Apheris as a cornerstone in the emerging federated data ecosystem.”
Looking Ahead
Apheris is poised to revolutionize secure data collaboration across the life sciences sector, enabling pharmaceutical and biotech companies to drive breakthroughs in drug discovery and patient care while maintaining robust data privacy and IP protections.
