A groundbreaking venture, VedaBio, has emerged from stealth mode with an ambitious vision of advancing CRISPR technology to new heights. The company introduces a CRISPR platform that can simultaneously detect a wide range of selected molecules with unparalleled precision. What sets VedaBio apart is its capability to perform these molecular analyses at room temperature, delivering results in under a minute, all without compromising accuracy.
Anurup Ganguli, Co-founder and CEO of VedaBio, explained the significance of their innovation, stating, “With the CRISPR Cascade reaction, we have unlocked the true power of CRISPR with a platform that delivers near-instant molecular detection of highly multiplexed analytes with best-in-class accuracy, all without the need for target amplification.” Ganguli emphasized that this technology is poised to become the gold standard for molecular detection, with transformative applications across various fields, including research, industrial tools, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
VedaBio’s impressive debut is supported by $40 million in initial funding, with OMX Ventures as the lead investor, along with contributions from Kleinmuntz Associates and a consortium of family offices.
The innovation at the core of VedaBio’s platform, known as CRISPR Cascade, differentiates itself by employing a multitude of Cas enzymes. Unlike conventional PCR-based tests that require pre-amplification steps to replicate a specific genetic target, the CRISPR Cascade approach uses multiple enzymes. These enzymes initiate a series of chemical reactions, forming a self-sustaining positive feedback loop when a target is detected, ultimately emitting a visible fluorescent signal.
Frédéric Sweeney, venture partner at OMX, joins VedaBio as board director, president, and chief operating officer, bringing a wealth of experience from executive roles in companies like MeMed Diagnostics, bioMérieux, Versant Ventures, Northern Biologics, and T2 Biosystems. The role of chief medical and scientific officer will be filled by Christine Ginocchio, Ph.D., who previously served in the same capacity at Quotient, as well as senior VP of global medical affairs at bioMerieux and BioFire.
VedaBio’s pioneering technology holds the potential to revolutionize the molecular detection landscape, opening doors to a myriad of applications with rapid, highly accurate results.
