Illumina Accelerator invests in seven genomics startups for 3rd global cycle

Illumina Accelerator invests in seven genomics startups for 3rd global cycle

Published: 16-09-2021 11:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau | hits: 3341 | Tags:

Illumina has selected seven new genomics companies to join the third global funding cycle of Illumina Accelerator. The global company creation engine, focused on partnering with entrepreneurs to build breakthrough genomics startups, invested in four companies for the 3rd funding cycle of Illumina Accelerator Cambridge, UK and three companies for the 13th funding cycle of Illumina Accelerator San Francisco Bay Area.

Amanda Cashin, Co-founder and Global Head, Illumina For Startups: "The global reach of Illumina Accelerator is demonstrated by our investment in these seven diverse startups from six countries. This diversity is testament to the strength and breadth of the talented entrepreneurs around the world focused on unlocking the power of the genome to improve human health and beyond."

During two, six-month funding cycles per year, Illumina Accelerator provides the selected startups with access to seed investment, access to Illumina sequencing systems and reagents, as well as business guidance, genomics expertise, and fully operational lab space adjacent to Illumina's campuses in Cambridge, UK or the San Francisco Bay Area. The newest companies to join Illumina Accelerator's portfolio of genomics startups include:

Illumina Accelerator Cambridge

  • BIXBIO LIMITED , a genomics startup from South Africa, is focused on unlocking the potential of diverse genetic data in Africa to transform the field of precision medicine.
  • EpiCombi.AI Limited a genomics signature-driven therapeutics spinout from Oxford University, is overcoming epigenetic barriers in cancer complexity through the creation of AI-derived, network-acting multi-targeted drugs.
  • Genegoggle Sp. z o.o. a biotech company from Poland, leverages multi-dimensional genomic and epigenetic elements to discover novel therapeutics and intelligent systems to improve human health.
  • NewStem Ltd. a cancer therapeutics and diagnostics company from Israel, is developing genetic-based products utilizing a proprietary haploid human embryonic stem cells library of mutations.

 

Illumina Accelerator SF Bay Area  

  • ImYoo Inc. a direct-to-consumer single-cell transcriptomics company from the California Institute of Technology, aims to deliver personalized, biology-driven health insights by connecting people with similar immune profiles to share their health journeys.
  • Solena Ag, Inc. , an agriculture biotech company from Mexico, is commercializing innovative methods and proprietary biological solutions tailored to each farm, soil or region to improve crop profitability and soil health.
  • Yali Biosciences Inc. a food tech company from San Francisco Bay Area, uses synthetic biology and genomics tools to make climate-smart, sustainable foods.

 

Alex Aravanis, Chief Technology Officer, Head of Research and Product Development, Illumina: "Our newest investments demonstrate the depth and breadth of genomics applications across the globe. These seven genomics startups are focused on discovering breakthrough therapeutics, diagnostics, and direct to consumer applications to transform human health and beyond."

Illumina Accelerator is accepting applications for the next global funding cycle, which are due by October 1, 2021. Through a single, global application process, Illumina Accelerator will select up to five companies in each location. Read here to learn more and apply.

www.illumina.com