Loading organizations...
Nabsys has raised $115.0M across 7 funding rounds.
Key people at Nabsys.
Nabsys has raised $115.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Nabsys develops the OhmX Platform, an electronic genome mapping (EGM) system for high-resolution structural variant (SV) analysis. Its proprietary electronic nano-detectors identify SVs down to 300 base pairs. This amplification-free technology enables rapid DNA analysis, allowing sample-to-genome mapping within a single day for comprehensive genomic insights.
Barrett Bready, MD, founded Nabsys in 2005, emerging from two Brown University spin-offs. His vision centered on a novel DNA analysis method using solid-state electronic nanodetectors to characterize long molecules and genomic structural variation. John Oliver, PhD, a key scientific contributor with a background in advanced DNA analysis, joined the company in 2007.
The OhmX Platform supports researchers in cancer, rare disease, and cell and gene therapy, also providing orthogonal validation for sequencing data. Nabsys aims to democratize advanced genomics, making it accessible and affordable for every laboratory. Its cost-effective benchtop solution delivers convenient access to accurate structural variant data, fostering broader scientific discovery.
Key people at Nabsys.
Nabsys has raised $115.0M across 7 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $13.0M Other Equity in November 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 10, 2022 | $13M Venture Round | Hitachi High Technologies Corporation | — | Announced |
| Apr 13, 2022 | $25M Venture Round | Tsuyoshi Ogino | — | Announced |
| Oct 3, 2019 | $21M Venture Round | Hitachi High Technologies Corporation | — | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2013 | $35M Series D | William Gerber | Stata Venture Partners, PJC | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2011 | $10M Series C | Stata Venture Partners | — | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2010 | $7M Series B | Stata Venture Partners | Gina Raimondo | Announced |
| May 1, 2009 | $4M Series A | — | Point Judith Capital | Announced |
Nabsys has raised $115.0M in total across 7 funding rounds.
Nabsys's investors include Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Tsuyoshi Ogino, William Gerber, Stata Venture Partners, PJC, Gina Raimondo, Point Judith Capital.
# Nabsys: Electronic Genome Mapping Pioneer
Nabsys is a genomics company specializing in electronic genome mapping (EGM) technology for structural variant analysis.[1][4] Founded in 2005 and based in Providence, Rhode Island, the company develops platforms that enable routine, accurate, and cost-effective analysis of genomic structural variations—critical for functional genomics research, clinical diagnostics, and precision medicine.[1] In August 2024, Hitachi High-Tech acquired a majority stake in Nabsys, positioning the company as a consolidated subsidiary within a global healthcare and diagnostics conglomerate.[2]
The company's core mission centers on advancing disease understanding, increasing diagnostic yield, and improving patient outcomes through accessible genomic analysis tools.[1][3] Rather than relying on traditional DNA visualization methods, Nabsys employs solid-state nanodetection technology—combining high-sensitivity electronics, nanofluidics, and computational biology—to deliver what it describes as "unprecedented scale" genome mapping capabilities.[4] This interdisciplinary approach differentiates Nabsys in a crowded genomics market where most competitors focus on sequencing or bioinformatics platforms.
Nabsys emerged from academic research at Brown University, formed in 2007 as a merger between two university-based research projects.[7] The company's founding reflected a specific insight: genome mapping didn't require visualizing DNA directly, but rather extracting the most meaningful information through novel detection modalities.[4] Under the leadership of CEO and Founder Barrett Bready, the company navigated the complex genomics market for nearly two decades, experiencing both growth phases and challenges before its acquisition by Hitachi High-Tech.[2][6]
The company's journey included periods of significant employment (nearly 50 workers at peak operations) and strategic pivots as it refined its technology platform.[7] By 2024, Nabsys had secured $117.5 million in total funding across 13 rounds, with a most recent funding amount of $38 million, demonstrating sustained investor confidence in its technology approach.[3]
Nabsys operates at the intersection of two powerful trends: the democratization of genomic analysis and the shift toward precision medicine. As sequencing costs have plummeted, the bottleneck has shifted from generating genomic data to analyzing it accurately and affordably—particularly for structural variants, which traditional short-read sequencing struggles to detect comprehensively.[1][4]
The company's timing aligns with growing clinical demand for non-invasive diagnostic tools and the pharmaceutical industry's need for better understanding of genomic variation in drug development and patient stratification.[2] Hitachi High-Tech's acquisition signals that established diagnostics manufacturers recognize electronic genome mapping as a critical capability for next-generation molecular diagnostics platforms.[2]
Nabsys also represents a broader ecosystem shift: rather than consolidating around a single dominant sequencing technology (as happened with Illumina's market dominance), the genomics field is increasingly accommodating complementary technologies optimized for specific use cases—structural variants, long-range mapping, and cost-sensitive applications.
Nabsys stands at an inflection point. Under Hitachi High-Tech's ownership, the company has transitioned from a venture-backed startup navigating market adoption challenges to a subsidiary with access to global manufacturing and clinical distribution networks.[2] The company's stated ambition extends beyond structural variant analysis to broader applications in protein and RNA analysis, positioning electronic nanodetection as a foundational platform technology rather than a point solution.[4]
The key question ahead is whether OhmX can achieve meaningful clinical adoption and reimbursement in diagnostic workflows—a challenge that has historically limited adoption of novel genomic technologies. Hitachi High-Tech's healthcare business focus on "creating a society without fear of cancer and rare disease" suggests the parent company views Nabsys' technology as central to that vision.[2] If Nabsys can establish itself as the standard for structural variant analysis in clinical settings, it could reshape how genomic diagnostics are performed globally, moving beyond research applications into routine patient care.
