Aether Bio

Aether Bio (also referred to as Aether Biomachines) develops AI-designed proteins and derived industrial products. Its core technology is a Protein Function Model intended to identify novel proteins with novel functions, trained on data generated internally by a robotic high-throughput screening laboratory that the company says runs millions of micro-scale experiments. The company states that its proprietary automation hardware enables massively parallelized experimentation, producing datasets larger than those achievable with commercially available laboratory automation, and that automated experimentation and rapid iteration are used to move candidate proteins from discovery through prototype to production.

The commercial product line centers on additives for polymer additive manufacturing. The RapidPrint series consists of reinforced nylon filaments containing Aether's proprietary additive, aimed at faster and stronger FFF/FDM printing for defense, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing users. The Ultra series comprises high carbon fiber loaded filaments with the same additive, targeting demanding applications requiring stiffness and durability. Two further programs are described as in development: additives enabling an aerospace-grade, aluminum-replacing polymer series for lightweighting, and AI-designed proteins for selective extraction and separation of critical minerals such as rare earths, lithium, nickel, and germanium from domestic resources.

Business model

Aether sells physical products derived from its protein and materials platform, including reinforced nylon and carbon-fiber-loaded 3D printing filaments containing its proprietary additive, and also works with clients on a selective partnership basis.

Traction

The company announced that AI-developed next-generation aerospace materials have entered mass production, describing the scaling of novel materials to industrial quantities, and launched the RapidPrint filament product line.

Latest developments

Recent announcements include the launch of the RapidPrint series, a $15M financing backed by Tribe Capital, Natural Capital, and Henkel Corporation among others, and the move of AI-developed aerospace materials into mass production.