SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Illumina,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) 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.
"The global reach of Illumina Accelerator is demonstrated by our
investment in these seven diverse startups from six countries,"
said Amanda Cashin, PhD, co-founder
and Global Head of Illumina For Startups. "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.
"Our newest investments demonstrate the depth and breadth of
genomics applications across the globe," said Alex Aravanis, MD, PhD, Chief Technology
Officer, Head of Research and Product Development at
Illumina. "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. To learn more and apply, please visit
our website.
About Illumina For Startups
Illumina for Startups is focused solely on creating an
innovation ecosystem for the genomics industry by partnering with
leading venture capital investors and entrepreneurs to create,
launch, and grow genomics startups. Illumina for Startups
initiatives include Illumina Accelerator, founded in 2014, and
Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator,
Powered by Illumina, launching Fall 2021. Illumina Accelerator is a
company creation engine co-located with Illumina research and
development sites in San Francisco Bay
Area and Cambridge, UK.
Illumina Accelerator has invested in 61 genomics startups from
across the globe, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in venture capital funding. For more
information, visit our website.
About Illumina
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the
genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global
leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving
customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our
products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology,
reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To
learn more, visit www.illumina.com and connect with us
on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram,
and YouTube.
Investors:
Brian
Blanchett
858.291.6421
IR@illumina.com
Media:
Dr. Karen
Birmingham
EMEA: +44 7500 105665
US: 646.355.2111
kbirmingham@illumina.com
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SOURCE Illumina, Inc.