Building Breakthrough Startups in China: Hear From The First Entrepreneurs Joining Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina
Illumina For Startups | Spotlight Article by Robin Lin
In November 2021, we jointly launched the opening of Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina, and announced the selection of the first genomics startups.
Robin Lin, Head of Illumina For Startups, Greater China, joined the new startups for a conversation at the grand opening of the Genomics Incubator in China. In this Spotlight Article, the startups share why they chose the incubator, what they hope to achieve during their incubation, and what they look forward to achieving over the next few years.
The startups selected for the inaugural funding cycle are:
Mobidrop Biotechnology, a medical device and research tools company developing cutting-edge, single-cell sequencing microfluidic technologies for molecular diagnostics applications.
Sequanta Technologies, a multiomics company committed to building DNA, RNA, epitome, and proteomics technology platforms for research and clinical applications.
QUESTION:
With many choices of incubators in China, what made you choose Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina?
ANSWER:
MobiDrop , Hao Pei, Co-founder & CEO:
Illumina and Sequoia China are both recognized in China and globally for helping startups achieve technology breakthroughs. As a single-cell sequencing startup, we develop single-cell medical devices and research tools compatible with Illumina’s sequencing platforms. That’s why we’re excited to accelerate our product development by working with Illumina. By using Illumina sequencing equipment in the genomics incubator, we can improve our existing product on gene and cell capture and also validate our new product concept.
Sequanta, Yuan Li, General Manager:
I think Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina, is a unique incubator in the Chinese market because it is backed by Illumina’s sequencing technology and Sequoia China’s strong VC capability. As a multiomics company, we would like to take this chance to work on our multi-omics projects together with Illumina and explore the possibilities for future proteomics and multi-omics applications.
QUESTION:
What do you aim to achieve during your six months at the Genomics Incubator in China?
ANSWER:
MobiDrop, Hao Pei, Co-Founder & CEO:
We are developing a genomic approach for our single-cell system. During our time at the incubator, we will validate our process by sequencing a lot of samples. It will be a major milestone for our company once we are successful in our validation.
Sequanta, Yuan Li, General Manager:
We aim to sequence 1,000 proteomics samples during our six months at the incubator. We expect to complete the main lab work by the end of incubation, and then spend some time analyzing results. We hope to get some meaningful results that could drive proteomics technology forward by using Illumina sequencing in China.
QUESTION:
What do you hope to see your company achieve in the next few years?
ANSWER:
MobiDrop, Hao Pei, Co-Founder & CEO:
Due to the high cost of single-cell sequencing, the early development of the market has been limited to a certain extent. MobiDrop’s three-year goal is reduce the costs and make single-cell sequencing technologies more accessible to researchers. After all, life sciences is not just a business, it is also a cause for humanity with long-term value.
Sequanta, Yuan Li, General Manager:
We would like to help researchers in China maximize the value of their cohorts by using our proteomics and genomics platforms. For example, our technologies could help researchers identify new bio/gene markers that are more prevalent in the Chinese population, which would then contribute to more innovative drug research and development.
Welcome MobiDrop and Sequanta to the first funding cycle of the Genomics Incubator in China!
We are now accepting applications for Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina. Apply to our next funding cycle by March 15, 2022. Apply Now!
About Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina
Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina, is a company creation engine focused on supporting life sciences startup companies in China who are poised to deliver breakthrough applications in genomics and multiomics. Startups will be selected twice a year to join the incubator for a six-month funding cycle. Sequoia Capital China will provide them with access to investment and business guidance, and they will work with Illumina sequencing systems and reagents in a fully operational lab space, accessing Illumina’s genomics and business expertise.
About Illumina For Startups
Illumina for Startups is focused solely on creating an innovation ecosystem for the genomics industry by partnering with leading venture capital investors and entrepreneurs to create, launch, and grow genomics startups. Illumina for Startups initiatives include Illumina Accelerator, founded in 2014, and Sequoia Capital China Intelligent Healthcare Genomics Incubator, Powered by Illumina, launched in 2021. Illumina Accelerator is a company creation engine co-located with Illumina research and development sites in San Francisco Bay Area and Cambridge, UK. Illumina Accelerator has invested in 61 genomics startups across the globe, which have collectively raised over $1 billion in venture capital funding. For more information, please visit our website.
