Viome Life Sciences, a biotechnology firm, obtained $86.5 million in an oversubscribed Sequence C funding spherical, which it’s going to use to develop its enterprise, the corporate introduced Friday.
The Bellevue, Washington-based startup sells at-home testing and well being merchandise to customers by means of its web site. It gives a full physique well being check, a intestine well being check and an oral well being check. The assessments then leverage AI to supply customers with insights on what’s resulting in microbial imbalances and irritation, after which Viome gives personalised meals lists, probiotics and prebiotics to assist customers’ well being. It additionally has an oral and throat most cancers diagnostic check, which may detect most cancers as early as stage one. What units Viome other than different testing firms like Grail and Precise Sciences is that it focuses on RNA as a substitute of DNA.
“We deal with RNA as a result of DNA doesn’t change whenever you develop a persistent illness,” mentioned Naveen Jain, founder and CEO of Viome, in an interview. “If I do a DNA check and I acquire 100 kilos, my DNA nonetheless hasn’t modified. If I turn into diabetic, my DNA doesn’t change. If I’ve a coronary heart assault, my DNA doesn’t change. If I get melancholy, nervousness, none of that may change my DNA. Actually, my DNA doesn’t even change after I die. … The factor that’s continuously altering is RNA.” In different phrases, RNA is extra reflective of individuals’s present well being and altering life-style habits, making it simpler to detect if one thing is fallacious.
The Sequence C funding spherical included participation from Khosla Ventures, Daring Capital and WRG Ventures. In complete, Viome has raised $175 million.
Khosla Ventures selected to put money into Viome due to its capacity to forestall a number of well being points, mentioned Robbie Schwietzer, companion of the agency.
“We made the strategic resolution to put money into Viome, recognizing the groundbreaking fusion of its one-of-a-kind RNA expertise with state-of-the-art AI,” Schwietzer mentioned in a information launch. “Coupled with an unparalleled repository of organic information, this synergy doesn’t simply trace at a revolution; it marks the daybreak of a brand new period in healthcare. The promise right here is staggering: the very prevention of an epidemic wave of persistent illnesses, spanning psychological, metabolic, cognitive, and digestive well being.”
With the financing, the corporate plans to develop its enterprise and add different diagnostic assessments to its choices, Jain mentioned. He hopes Viome may have diagnostic assessments for Alzheimer’s, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel illness, non-alcoholic fatty liver illness, diabetes and different situations sooner or later.
Along with asserting the funding, Viome additionally introduced that its Intestine Intelligence Check can be provided in 200 CVS areas all through the U.S. That is the primary time a intestine check can be out there at CVS, Viome claimed within the information launch.
The corporate sells its full physique well being answer for $199 a month, which incorporates the check, dietary supplements and probiotics and prebiotics. Its intestine well being answer prices $69.95 a month and consists of the check and probiotics and prebiotics. Its oral well being answer is $179 a month and consists of the check, oral lozenges and dietary supplements. Its most cancers check prices $599.
Viome finally goals to “go worldwide and assist as many individuals as attainable,” Jain mentioned.
Image: Feodora Chiosea, Getty Pictures
