– Funding will support development of a new class of de novo AI-designed protein binders to address critical gaps in TB detection in low-resource settings
SEATTLE, WA – September 3, 2025 – Monod Bio, a biotechnology startup and spinout from the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design, announced today that it has received a $1.5 million grant from the Gates Foundation to develop a next-generation, rapid diagnostic test for the detection of tuberculosis (TB).
The funding will support development of a urine-based test designed to address a critical gap in TB detection in low-resource settings. Delayed diagnosis not only limits access to treatment but also increases the risk of continued spread within communities.
These NovoBodies™ are engineered to be highly specific and sensitive, overcoming the limitations of traditional antibody-based tests.
“The industry has long been confined to adapting natural proteins for diagnostic purposes,” said Daniel Silva Manzano, PhD, CEO of Monod Bio. “With this grant from the Gates Foundation, we are pioneering a new era of diagnostics by building proteins from the ground up, with precise control over their function. Our goal is to leapfrog existing technology and create a lateral-flow assay that is not just better, but truly transformative, providing a level of sensitivity that can change how TB is diagnosed and managed in low-resource settings.
This project represents a major step forward in the application of de novo protein design to real-world global health challenges. Monod Bio’s NovoBody™ technology has the potential to dramatically improve health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.
About Monod Bio Monod Bio is a Seattle-based biotechnology startup and a spinout from the David Baker Lab at the University of Washington’s Institute for Protein Design. The company uses AI-powered de novo protein design to create novel protein binders and biosensors for in vitro diagnostics (IVD) and research use only (RUO) applications. Monod Bio’s proprietary platform enables the creation of computationally designed proteins, including its NovoBodies™, to address unmet needs in the IVD and RUO biotechnology industries. For more information, visit monod.bio.
Media Contact
Monod Bio
Deniz Ulge
Business Operations
dulge@monod.bio
SOURCE Monod Bio, Inc.
