High-Level Overview
biomodal is an omics-based life sciences technology and analytics company building tools that bring the dynamism of our ever-changing biology into focus. The company’s flagship product, the duet multiomics solution, enables researchers to simultaneously sequence both genetic and epigenetic information from a single, low-input DNA sample—unlocking a “6-base genome” that includes not only the canonical A, C, G, T bases but also the critical epigenetic marks 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). This technology is transforming research in cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and aging, allowing scientists to uncover deeper biological insights with greater accuracy and efficiency.
biomodal serves life scientists and clinical developers, solving the longstanding challenge of fragmented, resource-intensive multiomic analysis. By integrating pre-sequencing workflows with post-sequencing informatics, biomodal’s platform delivers holistic, high-resolution data without the need for complex bioinformatics or harsh chemical treatments. The company has raised over $155 million from top-tier investors—including Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and GV—and has launched a certified service provider program to expand access to its technology globally. With strong traction in 2023, including a Nature Biotechnology publication and commercial partnerships, biomodal is rapidly scaling its impact across the biotech ecosystem.
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Origin Story
biomodal was founded in 2012 (originally as Cambridge Epigenetix) in Cambridge, UK, by Shankar Balasubramanian and Bobby Yerramilli-Rao. Balasubramanian, a renowned chemist and co-inventor of next-generation sequencing, brought deep expertise in genomics and epigenetics, while Yerramilli-Rao contributed strategic vision and entrepreneurial drive. The company emerged from a pivotal discovery: the biological significance of modified cytosine bases, particularly 5mC and 5hmC, as essential components of the genome.
Early on, biomodal focused on advancing the detection of these epigenetic marks, but the team soon recognized the limitations of existing technologies—most of which could not reliably resolve both genetic and epigenetic information in a single workflow. This insight led to the development of the duet multiomics solution, which combined genetic and epigenetic sequencing in one streamlined process. The company’s first major breakthrough came with the launch of its 6-base genome technology, which quickly gained recognition in the scientific community and laid the foundation for its rapid growth and commercial expansion.
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Core Differentiators
- Simultaneous Multiomics: biomodal’s duet solution is the first to enable single-base-resolution, phased sequencing of both genetic and epigenetic information in a single run, from as little as 5ng of DNA.
- 6-Base Genome: The platform distinguishes all four canonical bases (A, C, G, T) plus 5mC and 5hmC, providing a more complete picture of the genome and epigenome.
- Ease of Use: No complex bioinformatics or harsh chemical treatments are required, making the technology accessible to a broad range of researchers.
- Low Input Requirements: Works with minimal DNA input, ideal for liquid biopsy and rare sample applications.
- Certified Service Provider Program: Partners with leading omics service providers (e.g., Zymo Research, Life & Brain) to expand global access and ensure high-quality data delivery.
- Integration with Existing Infrastructure: Compatible with standard sequencing platforms, reducing barriers to adoption.
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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
biomodal is riding the wave of the multiomics revolution—a trend that seeks to move beyond single-layer genomic analysis to capture the full complexity of biological systems. As the cost of sequencing continues to fall and the demand for precision medicine grows, the ability to integrate genetic and epigenetic data is becoming increasingly critical. biomodal’s technology is well-positioned to meet this demand, offering a solution that is both scientifically rigorous and operationally practical.
The timing is also favorable: advances in cancer diagnostics, neurodegenerative disease research, and aging studies are all driving the need for more comprehensive, dynamic data. biomodal’s platform is influencing the broader ecosystem by enabling new discoveries, accelerating drug development, and democratizing access to cutting-edge multiomic tools. Its partnerships with service providers and academic institutions are helping to standardize and scale multiomic analysis, setting a new benchmark for the field.
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Quick Take & Future Outlook
biomodal is poised to become a foundational player in the next generation of life sciences research. As the field moves toward more holistic, multiomic approaches, the company’s ability to deliver integrated, high-resolution data from minimal samples will be increasingly valuable. Future growth is likely to come from expanded commercial partnerships, deeper integration with clinical workflows, and continued innovation in multiomic analytics.
The broader trend toward personalized medicine and early disease detection will further amplify biomodal’s impact. As researchers and clinicians seek to understand the interplay between genetics and epigenetics in health and disease, biomodal’s technology will play a central role in unlocking new insights and improving patient outcomes. The company’s journey—from a Cambridge startup to a global leader in multiomics—reflects the transformative power of bringing the dynamism of biology into focus.
