Cambridge-based Antler Bio, an emerging force in agricultural biotechnology, has announced a €3.6 million investment round to accelerate the deployment of its gene-expression platform, EpiHerd, across European dairy farms. The round was led by The First Thirty Ventures, with support from Endgame Capital and regenerative agriculture syndicate Generation-RE, bringing total capital raised to €7.2 million including grants.
Founded in 2020 by CEO Maria Jensen and CSO Dr. Nathalie Conte, Antler Bio is tackling one of modern agriculture’s biggest challenges: doing more with less. Through EpiHerd, the company interprets how dairy cows’ genes respond to environmental stressors, nutrition, and health challenges—translating genetic signals into actionable decisions for farmers.
“Bringing a technology like EpiHerd to an industry that has never seen anything quite like it is no small task,” said Jensen, “but this investment enables us to scale to thousands of farms across Europe, grow our team, and keep refining the technology to improve both farmer profitability and animal wellbeing.”
Jensen, a Finnish entrepreneur, previously sold her elite racehorse genetics venture to a top Swedish breeder. Her co-founder, Dr. Conte, brings over 25 years of experience in cancer genetics and bioinformatics, transferring innovations from the human health sector to livestock applications. Their combined expertise has enabled Antler Bio to build a scalable, science-backed solution at the intersection of genomics and sustainable farming.
Already active in the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, Antler Bio has partnered with over 100 farms. EpiHerd has delivered measurable results—milk yields up to 22% higher, with a 6% rise in milk fat and a 5% increase in protein—while enhancing cow longevity, fertility, and resilience. The result: not just more milk, but better milk, and healthier herds.
Naeem Lakhani, Managing Partner at The First Thirty Ventures, commented:
“Our AgriHealth Investment Strategy backs world-class companies where agriculture meets human health. Antler Bio is a great example—combining biology and technology to reshape the food system while supporting both animal welfare and farmer economics.”
🧭 Editorial Perspective: Genetics for Good—Agriculture’s Precision Future
Antler Bio exemplifies the shift from reactive to proactive farming. As global dairy production faces rising costs, regulatory pressure, and a shrinking farm base, the company offers a precision tool that helps farmers unlock hidden potential within existing herds—without increasing herd size or relying on guesswork.
The EpiHerd platform is more than a dashboard. It decodes molecular signals to predict herd performance and uncover unseen stress triggers long before physical symptoms arise. This approach brings the accuracy of human medical genomics to livestock, enabling farmers to act early, boost sustainability, and deliver higher-quality products to market.
The timing is critical. Between 2023–24, over 440 UK dairy farms exited the market, with EU milk production projected to fall in 2025. As pricing models shift from volume to quality—especially in the US under Federal Milk Marketing Order reforms—Antler Bio is one of the few startups truly positioned to help farmers thrive under the next wave of agri-policy and market transformation.
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