Desktop Genetics Ltd (“DTG” or “the Company”), a UK bioinformatics company aiming to revolutionize the way genetic researchers work, announced today that it has secured an investment of £1.37M GBP ($2.15M USD) from a syndicate of VCs and angel investors, including IQ Capital Partners, London Business Angels, the London Co-Investment Fund, Dr Jonathan Milner (Deputy Chairman and Founder of Abcam plc), Dr Martin Murphy (CEO of Syncona Partners LLP) and Dr Darrin M Disley (CEO of Horizon Discovery Group plc).
This latest round of investment will enable Desktop Genetics to commercialize its proprietary DESKGEN genome editing software platform, which allows researchers to expertly design and perform CRISPR-based genome editing experiments in virtually any cell line or species. DTG will invest in the expansion of its existing sales infrastructure, expand marketing efforts to drive new user registrations, and launch a custom sgRNA library design service for users engaged in functional genomics, target identification and validation.
The DESKGEN platform makes CRISPR gene editing more predictable, accessible and efficient, arming scientists with all of the capabilities they need to scale their genomics research. Users are walked through every step of the CRISPR gene editing process with a suite of lab-validated algorithms derived from leading peer-reviewed research and industry expertise. In addition to enhancing researchers’ productivity and reducing the time and cost of gene editing with software tools, DTG also offers CRISPR library design, synthesis and screening services, and is partnering with specialist companies to create a high-throughput cell line engineering service in the cloud.
Riley Doyle, CEO and founder of the company, commenting on the close of the investment, said: “To date, the DESKGEN platform has enabled over 4,000 gene editing experiments and has assisted thousands of users in designing and accessing the best reagents for their research. We are grateful to our investors for making the next stage of development possible, and I am excited to lead the company through this phase of growth.”
Dr Darrin M. Disley, Chairman and investor in DTG commented: “I am delighted to continue my working relationship with this talented team as they move into the growth phase of the business cycle. It is an exciting time to be in the healthcare sector as the convergence of biology and software promises to have a great impact on human healthcare via application of gene editing in areas such as gene therapy, cell therapy and the development of personalized medicines. I would also like to welcome all of our new investors.” Ends Notes to Editors: Photo Riley Doyle, CEO Desktop Genetics. For a high-resolution image please contact lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com Media Contacts Lorna Cuddon, Zyme Communications Tel: +44 (0)7811996942 E-Mail: lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com At DeskGen: Victor B Dillard, CFO and Founder E-Mail: victord@desktopgenetics.com
About Desktop Genetics Ltd
Desktop Genetics develops technologies at the intersection of biotechnology, software and laboratory automation. The company is staffed by molecular biologists and computer scientists and has developed the DESKGEN platform, an intuitive and powerful 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 is enabling “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. To this end, Desktop Genetics is partnering with several leading suppliers and third party vendors to offer research tools and custom CRISPR libraries for on-demand cell line engineering. The Company is currently working with several recognised leaders in the gene editing field, including Editas Medicine, Horizon Discovery and enEvolv. For more information, visit www.deskgen.com
