CAMBRIDGE / UK, 27 June 2025: In a significant development for sustainable dairy farming, British AgriTech innovator Antler Bio has secured €3.6 million in new funding to expand the reach of its gene expression technology platform, EpiHerd, across Europe.
Led by The First Thirty Ventures, a fund focused on agriculture and health, the investment round also included Endgame Capital and Generation-RE, a regenerative agriculture angel syndicate. The fresh capital brings Antler Bio’s total funding to €7.2 million, including earlier grants.
Founded in 2020 by Maria Jensen and Dr. Nathalie Conte, Antler Bio uses advanced gene expression analytics to unlock hidden genetic responses in dairy cows, helping farmers improve milk yield, animal fertility, and overall herd wellbeing.
What is EpiHerd and How It Works
The company’s flagship product, EpiHerd, analyzes how cows' genes respond to nutrition, environmental stress, and health challenges. These insights empower farmers to make science-based decisions that can result in:
- Up to 22% increase in milk yield
- 6% higher milk fat content
- 5% boost in milk protein levels
- Healthier and more resilient herds
- Average ROI of 7:1 for participating farms
Currently active in the UK, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, Antler Bio is already partnered with over 100 dairy farms, positioning itself as a pioneer in precision livestock farming.
“We’re scaling EpiHerd to thousands of farms. This investment fuels our mission to enhance productivity while supporting animal welfare,” said Maria Jensen, CEO & Co-Founder.
Jensen, a Finnish entrepreneur, previously built a successful genetic analysis company in the horse racing sector, while Dr. Conte brings over 25 years of experience in cancer genetics and bioinformatics, bridging insights from human genomics to livestock.
Meeting Market Pressures with Innovation
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the global dairy industry. Between April 2023 and April 2024, over 440 UK dairy farms exited the sector due to low milk prices, input cost inflation, and regulatory challenges. Meanwhile, the EU projects milk production to fall to 149.4 million metric tons in 2025.
In the US, upcoming changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order will reward milk quality over quantity—putting pressure on farmers to improve outputs from the same resources.
Antler Bio’s EpiHerd is a timely solution, enabling producers to “do more with less” by unlocking latent genetic potential in their herds rather than increasing herd sizes.
“Antler Bio is a standout example of biology-meets-technology,” said Naeem Lakhani, Managing Partner at The First Thirty. “Their work benefits farms, animals, and consumers alike.”
A Win-Win for Farmers and the Planet
By targeting both productivity and animal health, Antler Bio’s platform supports the global shift toward sustainable and regenerative agriculture. It promotes:
- Reduced reliance on antibiotics and inputs
- Improved animal welfare through proactive health management
- Better milk quality aligned with rising consumer expectations
As global dairy systems seek climate-smart, efficient, and ethical production models, Antler Bio represents a new frontier in AgriTech, where data-driven insights fuel resilient, profitable, and compassionate farming.
