Cradle
Revolutionize protein engineering with AI-driven multi-property optimization.. [Contact for Pricing]
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What is Cradle?
Cradle is an AI-powered protein engineering software platform that helps biopharma and industrial bio R&D teams design better proteins faster. The platform uses generative AI and machine learning to generate protein candidates that meet multiple objectives simultaneously, powered by your own experimental data. Teams report 2-12x faster development timelines and can reach their protein optimization goals in fewer experimental rounds.
Key features include multi-property optimization (activity, binding, stability, expression, and more), custom AI models trained on your proprietary data, support for any protein type (antibodies, enzymes, peptides, vaccines, gene-editing systems), and a privacy-first approach where your data never trains models for others. The platform works through a simple web interface or API, requires no deep computational expertise, and provides clear Generation Reports with predicted performance scores.
Cradle is designed for R&D teams in biopharma companies (like Novo Nordisk, argenx, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer) developing therapeutics, as well as industrial bio teams creating enzymes, agricultural solutions, food ingredients, and other protein-based products. If you can measure a protein property, you can optimize it with Cradle.
The platform includes fully managed AI infrastructure with optimized GPUs, SOC 2 compliance, single sign-on support for Google and Microsoft, custom predictors (beta), unlimited users, unlimited data upload and storage, and expert technical support from scientists and ML experts.
Cradle pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
One annual software license with no hidden fees. No complicated royalty deals, no milestone payments, no royalty or milestone fees - just a software subscription fee. Specific pricing amounts are not publicly disclosed and require contacting the sales team. All licenses include: private workspace for your organization, industry-leading security standards, full ownership of sequence IP, full access to Cradle platform and API, unlimited users, unlimited data upload and storage, compute and infrastructure included, and expert technical support.
Cradle pros
- 2-12x faster development timelines reported by teams
- Multi-property optimization in a single design round
- Custom AI models trained on your proprietary experimental data
- Works with any protein type: antibodies, enzymes, peptides, vaccines
- Starts with as little as a single sequence or 96 variants
- Privacy-first AI: your data never trains models for others
- Full ownership of sequence IP with no royalties
- SOC 2 compliant with bank-grade security
- Unlimited users and unlimited data upload/storage included
- Simple web interface requires no computational expertise
- API access for advanced workflow integration
- Generation Reports with predicted performance scores
- Handles measurement noise and batch variations
- Stronger IP position from exploring diverse designs
- Fully managed AI infrastructure with optimized GPUs
- Expert support from scientists and ML experts
- Single sign-on support for Google and Microsoft
Cradle cons
- No free tier available - annual software license required
- Wet lab testing not provided by Cradle (must use own lab or outsourced service)
- Pricing details not publicly disclosed - must contact sales
- Custom predictors currently in beta stage
- Requires at least one primary objective per design round
- Maximum of four constraint objectives recommended
- Best performance requires uploading high-quality experimental data
- Annual license commitment with no month-to-month option
Frequently asked questions about Cradle
What is Cradle Bio?
Cradle Bio is an AI-powered protein engineering software platform that helps biopharma and industrial bio R&D teams design better proteins faster. It uses generative AI and machine learning to generate protein candidates that meet multiple objectives simultaneously, powered by your own experimental data. The platform accelerates the journey from hit identification to lead optimization and beyond.
How much faster can Cradle accelerate protein development?
Teams that use Cradle report 2-12x faster development timelines. The platform reduces the number of experimental cycles typically required to commercialize a protein by leveraging AI to predict which sequences will perform best.
What types of proteins can I optimize with Cradle?
Cradle works with any protein and all properties. It has been validated across antibodies, enzymes, peptides, vaccines, and gene-editing systems. If you can measure a property, you can optimize it with Cradle, making it fit-for-purpose for therapeutics, agricultural solutions, food ingredients, and more.
How does Cradle handle my proprietary data?
Cradle uses a privacy-first AI approach. Your experimental data is only used to train your organization's custom models and is never used to train models for others. Your sequences and data remain private, secure, and entirely yours. Only you and those you invite can access your data. Cradle is fully SOC 2 compliant with bank-grade security.
Do I need historical experimental data to start using Cradle?
No historical data is required. You can start a new program with as little as a single sequence, or kick-start your Cradle journey with data you have already collected. The platform works with any format and assay, including NGS data from FACS screening, chromatography, affinity, or physicochemical assays.
Who owns the intellectual property for sequences generated by Cradle?
You retain full ownership of your intellectual property. You own all data and reports created, and there are no royalties - just a software subscription fee. Full ownership of sequence IP is included in all licenses.
Can I optimize multiple protein properties at once?
Yes, Cradle enables simultaneous multi-property optimization. You can set one primary objective (to maximize or minimize) and up to four constraint objectives. For example, you can co-optimize activity, binding, stability, expression, and more, turning complex trade-offs into optimized solutions in fewer rounds.
Does Cradle require computational expertise to use?
No, Cradle is designed for protein design at any level of expertise. You can use simple defaults through the user interface without deep computational knowledge. If you want more control, you can exercise advanced control via the API or specify advanced design requirements based on your in-house expertise. A team of advisors and engineers is available to help guide your approach.
How does the experimental workflow with Cradle work?
The workflow involves: creating a project with a base sequence, adding assays you will measure, importing experimental data, setting objectives, running a data benchmark (optional), generating sequences with configured mutations, testing sequences in your lab or through an outsourced service, uploading results back to Cradle, and starting a new experimental round. Each round improves your custom ML models for better results next time.
Why does Cradle run its own wet lab in Amsterdam?
Cradle is not a CRO but runs its own wet lab to ensure reliable and high-performing models from day one while keeping customer proprietary data completely private. Like a self-driving car company that tests real-world scenarios to fine-tune performance, Cradle tests real proteins and collects data to fine-tune their models, ensuring models are performant even before seeing customer data.