In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), the healthcare sector faces significant challenges, particularly concerning data privacy and regulation. German entrepreneur Robin Röhm has identified this as a critical issue in developing AI solutions for life sciences and pharmaceuticals. Through his startup, Apheris, Röhm is addressing these concerns by leveraging federated computing, which allows secure AI model training without moving sensitive data. This innovative approach is gaining traction, with clients such as Roche and several hospitals already on board. The company recently secured an $8.25 million Series A funding round, co-led by OTB Ventures and eCAPITAL, to further develop its technology and expand its operations.
A New Era of Secure Data Collaboration in Healthcare
In the heart of the digital age, ensuring patient privacy while advancing medical research remains a daunting task. Apheris, founded by Robin Röhm and Michael Höh in 2019, initially aimed to create a federated learning framework. However, after a strategic pivot in 2023, the company shifted focus to serving data owners in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. This move proved fruitful, leading to substantial revenue growth and achieving product-market fit with their latest offering launched in late 2023.
The core innovation lies in federated computing, where computations occur locally at the data source, and only the results are shared centrally. This decentralized method ensures that sensitive information remains protected while still enabling powerful AI applications. Marcin Hejka, co-founder and managing partner at OTB Ventures, sees Apheris as a cornerstone in the emerging ecosystem of federated data networks. The new funding will bolster the company's efforts to integrate with complementary privacy-enhancing technologies like homomorphic encryption and synthetic data generation.
One of Apheris's notable achievements includes its collaboration with the AI Structural Biology (AISB) Consortium, involving major players such as AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Johnson & Johnson, and Sanofi. Together, they are exploring AI-driven drug discovery, particularly in predicting protein complexes—a field where limited public data poses significant challenges. By addressing the concerns of data owners, Apheris aims to unlock the full potential of AI in healthcare, ensuring both security and innovation.
From a journalistic perspective, Apheris's success highlights the importance of balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations. The company's innovative approach not only paves the way for more secure and effective AI applications in healthcare but also sets a precedent for responsible data management. As the industry continues to evolve, it is clear that companies like Apheris will play a crucial role in shaping the future of AI-driven medical research.
