African genomics company, 54gene, raises $15m in a Series A round.
54gene, the African genomics research, services, and development company has closed a Series A round of $15 million, led by Adjuvant Capital, including Raba Capital, V8 Capital, Ingressive Capital, and follow on investment from Y Combinator, Better Ventures, Fifty Years, KdT Ventures, Aera VC and Pioneer Fund.
Founder and CEO, Dr Abasi Ene-Obong says the funding will allow 54gene to expand its biobank capabilities to 200,000 samples with a target to meet 500,000 in the nearest future. The funding will also allow the startup to boost its lab capabilities.
“We are trying to address the gap that currently exists in precision medicine for people of the African continent. With this funding we are about to expand that lab so we can process actual genetic data for tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people,” Ene-Obong said.
54gene was founded in January 2019. As a biotech and genomics startup, it offers genetic testing and molecular diagnostics services to Africans which helps unlock information about their health.
Also, the one-year-old utilises human genetic data derived from diverse African populations to improve medical products in the continent.
By partnering with more than a dozen hospitals to analyze the genomes of their patients, the startup has over 300 researchers, clinicians and geneticists across the continent and a research lab in Nigeria.
Speaking of revenue, 54gene’s plan to make money is dependent on co-developing drugs and medicine in partnership with pharmaceutical companies.
“When the drug is in the market, approved medicine [54gene] and the pharma company will share revenues. When you are a service provider to big pharma you can’t really make such a request. But when you are a development partner you co-own a significant stake of what’s being developed and have more of a say.”
However, the startup isn’t disclosing its partners or the primary health issues it will be tackling just yet as its focus is on boosting lab and biobank capabilities.