Desktop Genetics Ltd, a London, UK-based software company focused on improving the way biologists use CRISPR gene editing technology, received an investment from Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), a global leader in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology.
The amount of the deal was not disclosed.
The investment will be used to fund the continued development and commercialization of the DESKGEN platform with a particular focus on integration with NGS pipelines.
Led by Riley Doyle, CEO, Desktop Genetics has developed the DESKGEN platform, a system that supports the optimal design, construction, management, and purchase of the DNA, reagents and services important in gene editing and molecular biology.
Through its platform, the company aims to enable “literal Desktop Genetics”, a process that researchers can use to design CRISPR gene editing experiments, purchase reagents and find commercial entities to execute those experiments – and obtain results – without them having their own specialist laboratories.
The company is currently working with recognized leaders in the gene editing field, including Editas Medicine, Horizon Discovery, Transcriptic, and enEvolv.
The investment from Illumina follows recent fundraising from a syndicate of venture capitalists and angel investors. This combined funding is being used to continue developing its proprietary DESKGEN genome editing software platform and core CRISPR algorithms. The company is also investing in the expansion of its existing sales infrastructure and expanding marketing efforts.
FinSMEs
09/12/2015