• Phase Genomics

  Led · Grant · Oct 2020

  Phase Genomics develops proximity ligation technology and the ProxiMeta-powered global phage atlas to enable chromosome-scale genome assembly, microbiome discovery, and analysis of genomic variation. The company provides laboratory and computational products and services, including sample kits and metagenome assembly and analysis software. Its phage interactome atlas contains hundreds of thousands of host-resolved phage genomes and is being used to discover lysin-based antimicrobial candidates. With $1.5M in new funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Phase Genomics is building a platform to develop lysins that target Campylobacter infections and methanogenic archaea in ruminants to help reduce methane emissions. The year-long project includes a collaboration with Lumen Bioscience to assess lysin bioactivity in a scalable microbial expression system. Founded in 2015 and based in Seattle, the company aims to translate its phage database into targeted therapeutics to address antibiotic resistance and environmental biothreats. Phase Genomics develops proximity ligation–based genomic tools and software (including the ProxiMeta platform and Hi-C kits) to enable chromosome-scale assemblies and metagenomic deconvolution. Its proprietary technology captures virus–host interactions directly within microbial communities without culturing, producing a large phage–bacteria interactome repository. The company offers laboratory services and computational analysis to accelerate discovery of phages and link mobile genetic elements to hosts. With new funding it intends to build an AI-driven predictive engine to identify therapeutic phages and to assemble a global phage atlas. Planned downstream uses include phage-based therapies for C. difficile, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease, as well as improved wastewater monitoring for resistant pathogens. A recent Nature Biotechnology study using ProxiMeta demonstrated identification of hundreds of novel phage–host associations in a single sample, underscoring the platform’s discovery power. Phase Genomics develops proximity-ligation (Hi-C) laboratory kits, services, and computational software to enable chromosome-scale genome assembly, metagenomic deconvolution, and analysis of structural genomic variation. The company offers a portfolio of laboratory and computational products as well as scientific services and industry-leading assembly and analysis software. It is adapting high-throughput proximity ligation to cytogenomics to detect large chromosomal rearrangements and improve diagnostics in fertility, cancer, and genetic disorders. Phase Genomics received two three-year NIH FastTrack SBIR grants to develop proximity-ligation-based karyotyping methods for diverse human samples. Management says the company aims to commercialize these methods into diagnostic applications for the growing cytogenetics market (estimated at $3.8B by 2025). The business is funded by grant awards and revenue from sales of its kits, services, and computational analysis. Phase Genomics spun out of the University of Washington’s Genome Sciences department and launched in 2015. The company combines a proprietary wet‑lab technique with a cloud‑based data analysis engine to link DNA fragments that were physically close in cells, enabling assembly of complete genomes from mixed samples. Its tools have been used on plants, birds, mammals (their first complete genome was a goat) and numerous bacteria, and the company reports three products and services already on the market with more planned. The sample‑to‑results workflow takes roughly a week. Phase Genomics says it bootstrapped into a revenue‑generating company before taking outside funding and is currently hiring to scale operations. It plans to remain on the UW campus in CoMotion Labs’ Fluke Hall.

• Stratos Genomics

  Led · Grant · Aug 2011

  Stratos Genomics is developing a 4th-generation DNA sequencing method called Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) that encodes DNA into a measurable surrogate polymer called an Xpandomer for single-molecule nanopore measurement. SBX uses a simple biochemical reaction to produce high signal-to-noise reporters that enable high-fidelity, single-molecule sequencing in a low-cost nanopore instrument. The company states the entire process from DNA sample to nanopore measurement is under one hour, enabling rapid diagnostics and treatment and reducing sample-prep overhead. SBX is described as a versatile, low-cost technology with a simple workflow that can be configured for targeted applications and high-throughput whole genome systems. The $20 million financing will be used for final system development leading to commercial introduction of the proprietary sequencing platform, building on recent biochemistry development breakthroughs. Stratos is led by President & CEO Mark Kokoris and announced the raise from Seattle. Stratos Genomics develops a single-molecule detection process called Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) aimed at enabling accurate, ultra-low-cost whole genome sequencing. The company plans to further develop its ultra-low-cost nucleic acid sequencing method for whole genome analysis and molecular diagnostics using recent grant funding. Established in 2007 as a spin-off of Stratos Group LLC., the venture-backed company is based in Seattle, WA. Leadership includes CEO Allan Stephan, CSO Mark Kokoris (the principal investigator for the grant) and CTO Bob McRuer, Ph.D. Financially, the company has completed Series A financings, including a $4.0M close in August 2010 and an additional $2.1M in August 2011. It recently received a grant to advance its SBX technology toward commercial and diagnostic applications. Stratos Genomics develops a single-molecule detection process branded Sequencing by Expansion (SBX) that aims to enable accurate, ultra-low-cost whole genome sequencing and molecular diagnostics. The company is led by CEO Allan Stephan and is based in Seattle, WA. Stratos spun out from Stratos Group LLC in 2007. It intends to use the new funding to continue development of its nucleic acid sequencing method for whole genome analysis and diagnostics. The announcement describes this as further progress on its SBX technology rather than commercial deployment. Financially, the company reported an additional Series A tranche in 2011 that builds on prior financing activity. Stratos Genomics is a Seattle, WA-based developer of a single-molecule detection process called Sequencing by Expansion (SBX™) that enables whole-genome sequencing. Its core product is the SBX single-molecule detection method aimed at ultra-low-cost nucleic acid sequencing. The company plans to continue developing SBX for whole-genome analysis and molecular diagnostics. Stratos Genomics spun out from Stratos Group LLC in 2007. Financially, it has closed a $4M Series A to advance its technology. CEO Allan Stephan said the financing will support development of technology important to the future of medicine and genomic sciences.

• Bionano Genomics

  Led · Grant · Oct 2009

  BioNano Genomics is a San Diego, CA-based developer of the Irys genome mapping platform. The Irys platform provides researchers and clinicians an organized, actionable picture of a genome, including how components are ordered, arranged, and interact. The company works with institutions in life science, translational research, molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine. Led by President and CEO Erik Holmlin, Ph.D., BioNano intends to expand commercialization to grow the installed base and utilization of Irys and to develop new platforms and technology innovations. The firm completed a $53M Series C to support those plans, and added board members in conjunction with the financing. BioNano Genomics is developing a system for human genome analysis that uses imaging of molecules to directly observe native genomic structure. The company says its technology enables direct observation of native genomic structure through molecular imaging. It announced a $10M funding round to commercialize that system. The funding is intended to support commercialization efforts for its human genome analysis platform. The startup is led by Erik Holmlin, Ph.D., and is San Diego-based. BioNano Genomics develops the Irys platform, a scalable system for structural variation analysis and de novo assembly of next-generation sequencing data. Irys uses a proprietary chip to uncoil and confine long DNA molecules, enabling researchers to view long strands of DNA. Researchers at UCSF demonstrated Irys' utility in a Nature Biotechnology paper by accurately mapping and analyzing structural variation in the human major histocompatibility complex. The company and UCSF authors highlighted applications in studies of new pathogens, complex metagenomics, and cancer genomes where copy number and structural variation are abundant. BioNano raised $10 million in a Series B-1 equity financing from existing investors and is completing product development ahead of a commercial launch anticipated by the end of 2012. BioNanomatrix develops and commercializes nanoscale, single-molecule imaging and analysis technology for large biological molecules, with a focus on whole-genome analysis. The company has introduced the nanoAnalyzer 1000 System and reported placing a number of systems with early-access users after its debut at the American Society of Human Genetics. Its platform is designed to reduce time and complexity for genome analysis and to provide additional structural-variation data not easily addressed by current methods. Ongoing development includes a NIST-ATP-funded project aimed at sequencing the human genome at a cost of $100 and work supported by the National Institutes of Health. Management has signaled a push toward commercialization and plans to establish a stronger West Coast presence to expand business opportunities and recruitment. The company recently completed a $23.3 million Series B equity financing to support these efforts. BioNanomatrix develops a nanoscale whole-genome imaging and analysis platform for single-molecule genomic analysis. The company is preparing to commercialize its first NanoAnalyzer system, with a beta site launch planned for Q2 2010. It received two supplemental Phase II SBIR grants from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) totaling $833,490. The awards were made under the NIH BECON II nanotechnology initiative, an interdisciplinary, multi-institute SBIR consortium. These supplemental grants bring BioNanomatrix's Phase II NHGRI funding to more than $2.8 million. The funds will be used to support further commercial development and to prepare for the NanoAnalyzer beta launch.

No current team members are available.