1 The EIC Accelerator Project
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program is a key funding initiative designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Europe. It aims to foster the development of breakthrough technologies and innovations, particularly within the DeepTech sector. The program provides financial support through a blended finance model, which includes both grants and equity investments, thereby facilitating the commercialization and scaling of groundbreaking ideas.Funding Structure of the EIC Accelerator
The EIC Accelerator offers a grant component of up to €2.5 million, which is aimed at covering costs associated with the development of innovative products, services, or processes. This grant is particularly valuable for early-stage companies that require funding to de-risk their projects and validate their technologies before entering the market.
In addition to the grant, the EIC Accelerator provides equity financing that can amount to up to €15 million until 2024. This funding serves to bolster the financial capacity of innovative companies, enabling them to scale operations, enhance market entry strategies, and accelerate growth. From 2025 onward, the equity cap will decrease to €10 million, reflecting a strategic shift in funding priorities while still ensuring that ambitious projects can access significant financial resources.
Purpose within the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem
The EIC Accelerator plays a crucial role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by addressing the funding gap that often exists in the early stages of technology commercialization. Many innovative companies struggle to secure investments from traditional venture capital sources, particularly in high-risk sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials. The EIC Accelerator seeks to bridge this gap by providing both non-dilutive (grant) and dilutive (equity) funding that is tailored to the specific needs of deep-tech innovators.
By supporting the development of pioneering solutions, the EIC Accelerator not only empowers companies to bring transformative technologies to market but also enhances Europe's competitive edge in the global innovation landscape. Moreover, the program encourages collaboration among various stakeholders, including private investors, research institutions, and industry leaders, thereby fostering an integrated ecosystem that nurtures innovation.
Role in Scaling and Securing Private Sector Funding
The EIC Accelerator not only provides essential financial resources but also offers strategic guidance and support to help companies navigate the complexities of scaling operations. By leveraging its network of experts, mentors, and industry partners, the program assists recipient companies in refining their business models, developing go-to-market strategies, and enhancing their overall value propositions.
Furthermore, the visibility and credibility associated with receiving EIC Accelerator funding can significantly enhance a company's attractiveness to private investors. As companies progress through the EIC Accelerator stages, they often find it easier to secure additional funding from venture capitalists and other private sector sources, thus amplifying their growth potential and market reach.
Case Study: Epigene Labs SAS and the mCUBE Project
Epigene Labs SAS, a French company, emerged as a notable winner of the EIC Accelerator with its project, mCUBE. This initiative focuses on creating a multi-omic data-driven platform designed for drug discovery and indication prioritization in oncology. The project was officially submitted on October 6, 2021, during the Step 2 proposal phase and later secured funding following a successful Step 3 interview.
Technology and Background
The mCUBE platform leverages cutting-edge multi-omic technologies, which integrate data from various biological layers, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. By synthesizing this comprehensive data, mCUBE aims to enhance drug discovery processes, particularly in the field of oncology, where the complexity of cancer biology often presents significant challenges.
The platform enables researchers to identify potential drug candidates more efficiently by utilizing advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze vast amounts of biological data. This data-driven approach facilitates the prioritization of indications, allowing for targeted therapies that are better suited to specific cancer types and patient profiles.
Epigene Labs SAS's innovative approach not only aims to accelerate the drug development timeline but also seeks to improve patient outcomes by ensuring that therapeutic interventions are more precisely aligned with individual biological profiles. This is particularly significant in oncology, where personalized medicine is becoming increasingly critical to treatment efficacy.
In summary, the EIC Accelerator program significantly contributes to the European innovation landscape by providing essential funding and support for transformative projects like Epigene Labs SAS's mCUBE. Through its blended finance model and strategic resources, the EIC Accelerator empowers companies to scale effectively while bridging the funding gaps that often impede early-stage innovation in the DeepTech sector.
2 The Funding Rounds
Epigene Labs SAS: Financing and Funding Overview Since EIC Accelerator Award
Company: Epigene Labs SAS
Country: France
EIC Accelerator Cut-off Date (Step 2 submission): October 6, 2021
Website: epigenelabs.com
Financing Raised
Epigene Labs has raised funding across several rounds since its founding in 2019. The company's financing journey includes pre-seed, seed, and significant support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program, which combines grant and equity elements.
- Pre-seed Funding: Secured from Daphni and Majycc Innovation Santé/UI Investissement prior to the EIC award period.
- Seed Funding Round: Completed in December 2021, led by XAnge.
- EIC Accelerator Grant & Equity Investment: Won in late 2021 following the October application; exact amounts are undisclosed but are part of a larger €627 million allocation among selected companies with potential for up to €17.5 million per company between grant and equity components.
Funding Rounds: Timing and Amounts
Date | Round | Lead/Key Investors | Amount |
---|---|---|---|
June–July 2019 | Incubator/Accelerator | Agoranov, Harvard Innovation Labs | Undisclosed |
December 16, 2021 | Seed | XAnge | Undisclosed |
Late 2021 | EIC Accelerator Grant + Equity (blended finance) | European Innovation Council Fund | Undisclosed (part of up-to €17.5M package possible) |
Detailed amounts for each round have not been publicly disclosed as of April 2025.
Investor Information
Epigene Labs has attracted a mix of institutional investors focused on deep tech and health innovation:
- Lead Seed Investor: XAnge
- Pre-seed Investors: Daphni, Majycc Innovation Santé/UI Investissement
- Incubator/Accelerator Partners: Agoranov (France), Harvard Innovation Labs (USA)
- Public/Funding Program Investors:
- European Innovation Council Fund / EIC Accelerator
- Bpifrance via Concours d’innovation – i-Nov prize/grant
These investors provided both financial resources and strategic support through incubation programs.
Company Valuations
Dealroom.co estimated Epigene Labs' enterprise value at $6–9 million as of January 2020; no more recent public valuation figures are available post-EIC funding or after subsequent milestones. No IPO or acquisition-driven valuations have been reported as of April 2025.
Exit Events: IPOs or Acquisitions
There is no record or announcement indicating that Epigene Labs has undergone an exit event such as an IPO or acquisition since receiving its EIC Accelerator grant in late 2021 through April 2025. The company remains privately held and continues to operate independently with ongoing development toward further funding rounds—specifically targeting a Series A round by or after completion of major technology milestones planned for around late 2024 to early/mid-2025.
Additional Notes on Recent Activity
Since securing the EIC blended finance package: - Epigene Labs announced plans to expand operations into Boston.
- The company aims to complete development on its mCUBE platform by end-of-year/early next year.
- It is preparing for a Series A fundraising round once core R&D goals are met.
No new major financing rounds beyond those listed above have been publicly confirmed since the initial seed/EIC-backed fundraising.
Sources: - The European Innovation Council Fund Materializes ... - Epigene Labs
- Epigene Labs company information, funding & investors — Dealroom.co
- Mission - Epigene Labs
- Epigene Labs Stock Price, Funding, Valuation ... — CB Insights
- Largest-ever funding round from the European Innovation Council ... — EC
3 The Press Releases
Epigene Labs: Company Overview and Developments
Company Background
Epigene Labs SAS, based in France, is a techbio company that specializes in creating intelligence-augmenting solutions for precision oncology research and drug development. Founded in January 2019, it has established a strong presence in both Paris and Boston. The company was incubated at the Harvard Innovation Labs and later launched in France with the support of prominent European investors. In October 2021, Epigene Labs secured funding through the prestigious European Commission's EIC Accelerator program, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Technology and Platform
Epigene Labs' flagship platform is the mCUBE platform, which utilizes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation bioinformatics to transform genomic data into actionable insights for precision oncology. This platform aggregates and analyzes genomic data from multiple sources, providing comprehensive disease atlases that aid in drug discovery, biomarker identification, and patient selection. The mCUBE platform has been instrumental in reducing research timelines from months to days in various oncology R&D programs.
Partnerships
One of the notable partnerships for Epigene Labs is with the independent international pharmaceutical company Servier. Initially announced in January 2022, this partnership aimed to deploy Epigene Labs' mCUBE platform within Servier's R&D to prioritize new cancer drug targets. In March 2025, Epigene Labs announced a multi-year expansion of this collaboration, which focuses on accelerating Servier's oncology clinical trials by providing access to harmonized clinical and multi-omic data. This expanded partnership underscores Servier's commitment to AI-driven innovation in oncology.
Epigene Labs also maintains partnerships with other esteemed institutions and companies, including Institut Curie, iTeos Therapeutics, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Team Updates
The leadership team at Epigene Labs includes Akpéli Nordor, Co-founder and CEO, who brings a background in cancer biology and computational biology. Camille serves as the VP of Translational Research, overseeing research programs that support new cancer treatments. The company continues to recruit talent across various roles, including data science and software engineering, to bolster its innovative efforts.
Funding and Recognition
Besides the EIC Accelerator funding, Epigene Labs has secured investments from prominent venture capital firms. The company's technology has been recognized for its potential to revolutionize early-stage drug discovery by enabling the aggregation of genomic data, positioning it as a major innovation in the health data sector.
Press Releases and Social Media
While specific press releases or blog posts on Epigene Labs' website or social media accounts are not detailed in available information, the company's official website provides updates on its technology and partnerships. Notably, the multi-year collaboration with Servier highlights the strategic focus on precision oncology.
Conclusion
Epigene Labs has made significant strides since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021. Its innovative mCUBE platform and strategic partnerships, particularly with Servier, position it at the forefront of precision oncology research and development. The company's ability to integrate complex genomic data into actionable insights is poised to accelerate cancer drug discovery and development.
Sources:
- Epigene Labs Announces Collaboration with Servier
- Epigene Labs: Homepage
- Servier Partners with Epigene Labs
- Epigene Labs Company Profile
- Epigene Labs - Daphni.com
- Team - Epigene Labs
- Epigene Labs - MabDesign
- Epigene Labs - Culture - Welcome to the Jungle
4 The Technology Advancements
Overview of Epigene Labs SAS
Epigene Labs SAS, based in France, has been at the forefront of precision oncology research and drug development since its inception. The company received the EIC Accelerator funding on October 6, 2021, which has significantly contributed to its growth and advancements.
Capabilities and Advancements
Epigene Labs is renowned for its mCUBE platform, a comprehensive technology that leverages artificial intelligence and next-generation bioinformatics to transform genomic data into actionable insights for cancer research. This platform integrates data from multiple databases, providing a unified resource that supports drug discovery and development in precision oncology.
Since receiving the EIC funding in October 2021, Epigene Labs has continued to expand its capabilities and partnerships:
- Partnerships: The company has strengthened its collaborations with prominent entities such as Servier, focusing on indication prioritization for precision oncology research and drug development.
- Research and Development: Epigene Labs has consistently advanced the field of secondary data analysis, addressing challenging scientific questions related to data integration and analysis methods.
- Presentations and Publications: The company has published research, such as presenting findings at the AACR annual meeting and unveiling InMoose, further contributing to the scientific community with open-source initiatives.
Technology Improvements and Market Demonstrations
Epigene Labs has demonstrated significant improvements in its technology by enhancing the mCUBE platform, which accelerates data-driven drug discovery by reducing months of research to mere days. While there is no specific mention of clinical trials, the company's technology has been utilized by major biopharmaceutical companies and research institutes, indicating its market acceptance and utility in real-world applications.
Patents, Studies, and Clinical Trials
As of the latest information, Epigene Labs has not specifically announced new patent filings or large-scale clinical trials directly related to the EIC funding. However, the company continues to publish scientific studies and present its research at major conferences, contributing to advancements in precision oncology.
Conclusion
Epigene Labs SAS has utilized the EIC Accelerator funding effectively to enhance its technology and expand its partnerships within the biopharma industry. Its mCUBE platform remains a cornerstone in precision oncology research, offering sophisticated data analysis capabilities that support drug development and patient treatment strategies.
Sources: - Epigene Labs
- Mission - Epigene Labs
- Epigene Labs - new member - MabDesign
- Epigene Labs | EU-Startups
- 2021/2022 Integrated Annual Report - Servier
5 The Partnerships and Customers
Overview of Epigene Labs SAS
Epigene Labs SAS is a French techbio company specializing in intelligence-augmenting solutions for precision oncology. Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, Epigene Labs has made significant strides in partnerships and technological advancements.
Partnerships and Customers
Epigene Labs has notably partnered with Servier, an independent international pharmaceutical group. This collaboration, initiated in 2022, involves the development of an AI-based application to prioritize new cancer drug targets and determine optimal therapeutic pathways using Epigene's mCUBE platform. The partnership was recently expanded into a multi-year collaboration aimed at accelerating and enhancing the precision of Servier's oncology clinical trials by leveraging Epigene's mCUBE platform to integrate complex multi-omic datasets.
New Partners and Customers
As of the latest updates, there are no publicly announced new partners or customers beyond the expanded collaboration with Servier. However, Epigene Labs continues to focus on maximizing the potential of its mCUBE platform for other biopharmaceutical companies.
Nature of New Relationships
The expanded partnership with Servier emphasizes the strategic use of AI-driven, patient-centered innovation in oncology. This collaboration positions Epigene Labs as a key player in precision oncology research and drug development by providing harmonized clinical and multi-omic data for disease modeling, biomarker identification, and patient selection.
Market Positioning
Epigene Labs' partnerships, particularly the extended collaboration with Servier, position the company as a leader in integrating AI and bioinformatics for oncology R&D. This strategic alliance enhances its market presence by providing cutting-edge solutions that accelerate drug discovery and development.
Technology Advancements and Scaling
The mCUBE platform is central to Epigene's technology advancements, enabling the integration of fragmented multi-omic datasets into comprehensive disease atlases. This platform supports target discovery, biomarker identification, and patient selection, significantly reducing research timeframes. The EIC Accelerator funding and partnerships like the one with Servier have facilitated the scaling of Epigene Labs' technological capabilities, allowing for broader application of its platform across the biopharma industry.
Sources
- Epigene Labs announces multi-year expansion of collaboration with Servier
- Servier partners with French start-up Epigene Labs to launch a new application in the field of oncology
- Epigene Labs SAS - European Innovation Council (EIC) datahub
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
Epigene Labs SAS: Team Growth and Development
Epigene Labs, a winner of the EIC Accelerator funding in October 2021, is a cutting-edge company specializing in precision oncology research and drug development. Based in France, Epigene Labs leverages artificial intelligence and advanced bioinformatics to create comprehensive oncology data platforms, enhancing drug discovery and development processes.
Current Team Size and Structure
While the exact current headcount of Epigene Labs is not publicly disclosed, their team includes key positions such as Lead Translational Scientist, Lead Computational Biologist, Lead Product Manager, Lead Software Engineer, and Lead Data Scientist. The company is led by CEO & Co-founder Akpéli, who has a strong background in cancer biology and computational biology.
Hiring and Team Growth
There is no explicit information available indicating whether Epigene Labs is currently hiring. However, the company's focus on innovation and its recent collaborations suggest ongoing growth in their team to support their ambitious projects, such as the multi-year collaboration with Servier on AI for precision oncology R&D.
Key Positions and Recent Hires
Epigene Labs emphasizes the importance of cross-functional expertise. Their leadership team includes Camille as the VP of Translational Research, focusing on developing new cancer treatments, and Julien as VP of Product, Data & Technology, who contributes significantly to AI-powered tools development. The company likely continues to attract talent in these areas, though specific recent hires are not detailed publicly.
Impact of New Team Members
New team members play a critical role in scaling and growing Epigene Labs by enhancing its technological capabilities and expanding its research capacity. Their expertise helps the company tap into diverse oncology data, driving more effective drug development and precision medicine approaches. This strategic talent acquisition aligns with Epigene Labs' vision of providing personalized therapies for cancer patients.
Management and Founding Team Changes
There is no reported major change in the management or founding team of Epigene Labs since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding. The leadership remains committed to advancing precision oncology through innovative technologies and collaborations.
Growth and Future Prospects
Epigene Labs' growth is marked by significant collaborations and technological advancements. The EIC Accelerator funding has likely facilitated further expansion of their research capabilities and strategic partnerships, positioning them for continued innovation in precision oncology. Their focus on leveraging AI and bioinformatics underscores their potential to impact cancer treatment development positively.
Sources: - Epigene Labs: Homepage
7 The Media Features and Publications
Since receiving the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding in October 2021, Epigene Labs SAS, a French techbio company specializing in precision oncology research and drug development, has been featured and active across various media, conferences, collaborations, and events as follows:Media Features and Publications
- Epigene Labs has been highlighted by its investor Daphni as a promising startup that enables smart aggregation of genomic data to accelerate oncology drug discovery. The company was noted for its potential to innovate early-stage drug target identification using AI-driven integration of multi-omic datasets.
- The company's website prominently features news about a major multi-year expanded collaboration with Servier announced in March 2025. This partnership aims to leverage Epigene's mCUBE platform for harmonizing clinical and molecular data to enhance precision oncology R&D programs.
- Several investor or startup ecosystem platforms like Welcome To The Jungle have profiled Epigene Labs focusing on their team size (around 25 employees), business model around AI-powered genomics data integration for cancer R&D decision-making, and their dual presence in Paris and Boston.
Podcasts or Interviews
- A video interview published on YouTube in September 2024 features Camille, Chief of Staff at Epigene Labs, providing insights into the company’s activities. This interview presents perspectives from within the organization though does not appear widely syndicated beyond their own channels.
- There are relevant epigenetics-themed podcasts such as "Epi Podcast" or "Epigenetics Podcast" available online; however no direct participation by Epigene Labs' team members was found explicitly connected to these shows based on current search results.
Conferences, Fairs & Presentations
- While specific conference participations by Epigene Labs are not explicitly documented in available search results post-EIC funding date (October 2021), it is customary for companies like this—especially those incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs—to participate in key industry events related to biotechnology innovation and AI-driven healthtech.
- No detailed records were located regarding presentations or fair visits specifically attributed to the company's executives since winning EIC funding.
Involvement in Events
In summary: Epigene Labs SAS has gained visibility primarily through investor communications highlighting its innovative approach combining genomics data aggregation with artificial intelligence targeted at early-stage oncology drug discovery. Its most notable publicized event since winning EIC Accelerator funding is the strategic expansion of collaboration with pharmaceutical firm Servier announced publicly in March 2025. Media coverage remains focused largely on corporate announcements rather than broad third-party journalism or widespread podcast interviews. Specific details about conference participations or public speaking engagements post-EIC award are not readily found from current sources.
Sources
- Epigene Labs Homepage
- Daphni - Why we invested in Epigene Labs
- Welcome To The Jungle - Company Profile
- YouTube Interview with Camille from Epigene labs
- Press Release: Multi-year Collaboration Expansion with Servier
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