Belfast-based startup AMPLY has raised £900,000 in a joint equity and grant funding round to develop new products that tackle global disease threats from multi-drug resistant pathogens using its AI drug discovery platform.

Founded as a spinout from the Queen’s University Belfast in 2021, AMPLY’s AI drug discovery platform was developed to ensure new generations of antibiotics remain effective against infections.

The fresh funding for the biotech startup came from the Co fund NI, a £47.3m investment fund managed by Clarendon and backed by Invest Northern Ireland and British Business Investments.

Additional funding came from the QUBIS Innovation Fund for spinouts of the Queen’s University Belfast, the Helix Way Partnership, and angel investments from members of the Halo Business Angel Network.

“AMPLY Discovery is a fantastic example of the support Queen’s can offer our researchers through our investment arm, QUBIS Limited,” said Anne Dornan, entrepreneurial networks manager at QUBIS.