Led · Series C · Apr 2022

seqWell develops library preparation products for demanding genomics applications, highlighted by its plexWell platform. plexWell enables simple, scalable multiplexing of hundreds to thousands of samples without time- and cost-consuming sample preparation or library normalization steps. The company is focused on commercializing and expanding its portfolio of genomics workflow and library-preparation products. To accelerate those efforts, seqWell entered a strategic partnership with Codexis to apply Codexis’ CodeEvolver® platform for enzyme optimization. The collaboration is intended to harness optimized enzyme-based solutions to improve the speed and accuracy of sequencing applications. Financially, the company completed a $7 million Series C as part of this commercialization push. seqWell offers a multiplexed solution for preparing next-generation sequencing (NGS) libraries from hundreds to thousands of samples without normalization or extra equipment. Its product offerings target growing markets such as high-throughput low-pass sequencing and targeted genotyping. The company intends to expand its genomics product portfolio into new areas including single-cell genomics and transcriptomics. seqWell said it will use the Series B proceeds to grow operations and support that expansion. In January 2020 the company appointed genomics industry entrepreneur Paul McEwan as Board Chairman; McEwan co-founded Kapa Biosystems and Agencourt Bioscience and previously served as Vice President, Lifecycle Leader at Roche Sequencing Solutions. The company is based in Beverly, Mass.

Led · Series B · Nov 2021

Molecular Assemblies develops an enzymatic DNA synthesis platform that combines advanced chemistries with engineered enzymes to produce synthetic DNA. The company has been collaborating with Codexis since June 2020, with Codexis applying its CodeEvolver® platform to improve DNA polymerase enzymes that are critical for enzymatic synthesis. MAI reports the enzyme engineering phase is nearing completion and says subsequent enzyme improvements are on track to unlock the potential of enzymatic DNA synthesis. The recent capital is intended to accelerate MAI’s go-to-market strategy as the company moves toward commercialization. Codexis holds a seat on MAI’s board and is now the company’s second-largest shareholder, reflecting the depth of the partnership. The SynBio Innovation Accelerator, a collaboration between Codexis and Casdin Capital, enabled this investment as its second early-stage company backing. Molecular Assemblies is a private life sciences company based in San Diego, CA. It is developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis technology designed to power the next generation of DNA-based products. The company’s core offering centers on an enzymatic DNA synthesis platform intended to enable new DNA-based applications. Molecular Assemblies recently closed an oversubscribed $24 million Series A financing. The financing included significant investments from Agilent Technologies, iSelect Fund, Codexis, Alexandria Venture Investments and Argonautic Ventures, with LYFE Capital joining the syndicate. The article does not disclose revenue, user metrics, or other operating metrics. Molecular Assemblies is a San Diego-based biotech developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis technology designed to power next-generation DNA-based products. Its scientists pioneered a two-step enzymatic DNA synthesis process that can deliver pure, sequence-specific DNA on demand, without a template, and can scale to longer DNA sequences. The proprietary process uses aqueous, non-toxic reagents and requires minimal post-synthesis purification and processing. Enzymatic synthesis can write long, pure DNA, which the company says is required to unlock synthetic biology applications such as personalized medicines (including CAR-T and CRISPR gene editing), advanced agricultural and industrial products, and DNA-based data storage. Led by President and CEO Michael J. Kamdar, the company intends to use its latest funding to advance its proprietary synthesis platform. Molecular Assemblies raised $12.2M in a Series A and plans to apply the capital toward technology development and commercialization of DNA-based products. Molecular Assemblies is a San Diego-based developer of a proprietary enzymatic DNA synthesis technology intended to power DNA-based products. Its patented enzymatic method aims to enable the reading and writing of DNA for industries including industrial synthetic biology and precision medicine. The company also targets emerging applications such as DNA information storage, nanomachines and bio-based electronics. Led by president and CEO Michael J. Kamdar, Molecular Assemblies focuses on advancing its platform to serve those markets. The company raised seed financing to expand its team and advance development of its enzymatic synthesis technology. The announced seed round totaled $2.3M.