Polaris Genomics, founded in 2017 and based in Gaithersburg, Md., builds genomic-based diagnostics to make mental-health conditions diagnosable by clinical tests rather than subjective questionnaires. Its products include TruGen-1, a 1003-gene panel for neuropsychiatric research, the PTS-ID blood screen for PTSD risk, and a pipeline diagnostic called PTS-Dx. The company emerged from an Illumina accelerator and was founded by Charles Cathlin and Tshaka Cunningham. Polaris frames genomics as a way to connect mental illness to biological underpinnings to reduce stigma and improve early identification. Financially, the company has raised $3.4 million to date and relies heavily on grant and government funding in addition to private investment. Notable non-dilutive support includes a $200,000 George Shultz Innovation Fund grant, a $1.25 million AFWERX Phase II SBIR award, a $100,000 Maryland Industrial Partnerships matching grant, and $250,000 from the VA MissionDaybreak challenge. Polaris Genomics develops genomic diagnostics and research tools focused on neuropsychiatric conditions, notably the PTS-ID genomic blood test for identifying PTSD, measuring disease severity, and detecting treatment response. Its product suite includes the PTS-ID test, the TruGen-1 1003-gene research panel, the TruNorth data-integration platform, and laboratory services through Endeavor Lab. The company is woman-, Black-, and veteran-led and works with academic partners such as the University of Maryland Baltimore. Polaris has received targeted public research funding from the Maryland Industrial Partnership Program (MIPS) to advance validation and commercialization. Current work focuses on validating biomarkers in larger and more diverse cohorts and testing the biomarkers’ ability to detect changes with treatment. Leadership states the near-term aim is to move rapidly toward product commercialization to serve veterans, first responders, frontline workers, and trauma-impacted communities.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

May 2023