BioSkryb Secures $11.5M Seed Funding to Advance Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Capabilities

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that on January 9, 2020, single-cell genomic sequencing company BioSkryb completed an $11.5 million seed funding round. The round was led by Anzu Partners, with participation from the law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Bioskryb, founded in 2018 and headquartered in North Carolina, USA, is a single-cell genomic sequencing company that leverages its proprietary Proximity Tagging Assay (PTA) technology to provide novel solutions for research on cellular heterogeneity and clinical spatial studies. The Bioskryb team brings extensive expertise in developing high-sensitivity, high-accuracy single-cell analysis tools, with a focus on advancing new applications and addressing clinical needs that enhance health management.

The proceeds from this financing round will be used to advance BioSkryb’s genome amplification technology, enhance the SkrybAmp system, and drive the commercialization of BioSkryb products, thereby elevating the capabilities of genomic and transcriptomic analysis for translational research and clinical diagnostics.

The Bioskryb SkrybAmp system is powered by Primary Template-directed Amplification (PTA) technology, which enables uniform coverage of the entire genome during DNA amplification and allows for the identification of individual DNA bases in terms of sequence coverage and base calling. PTA technology provides optimal analysis of DNA from small samples, even single cells. Its applications include basic research on improved genotyping to address cellular heterogeneity, minimal residual disease analysis in cancer therapy, regulating genomic precision through environmental interactions, and determining the off-target effects of targeted genetic modifications such as CRISPR.

Jay West, CEO of BioSkryb, stated, “The advantages of the BioSkryb SkrybAmp system include the ability to control amplicon size during amplification, allowing barcode identifiers to be incorporated into each sample template, and enabling precise replication for the detection of DNA damage. This foundational technology has a broad range of applications, providing new opportunities for gene sequencing.”

Anzu Partners, founded in 2014, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Washington, USA. It primarily invests in companies with technological breakthroughs, providing them with capital and expertise in business development, market positioning, global connectivity, and operations.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, founded in 1961 and headquartered in California, United States, is the premier legal advisor to technology, life sciences, and other high-growth companies worldwide.

(Compiled by: Chang Jia)