Camena Bioscience, a synthetic biology company specializing in providing genes to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, has recently announced the successful closure of a $10 million Series A round of funding. This funding round was led by Mercia, a leading investment firm. The newly acquired funds will be utilized to scale operations and further develop their groundbreaking DNA synthesis platform known as gSynth.
What sets Camena apart from other companies in this field is its unique and highly precise enzyme-based DNA synthesis technology. As a result, the company has already established commercial partnerships with major consumers of synthetic genes, generating a substantial revenue stream in the past year.
The use of synthetic genes is widely prevalent among researchers who aim to gain insights into disease mechanisms and discover potential drugs to combat them. However, traditional DNA synthesis methods developed in the 1980s have proven to be costly, time-consuming, and imprecise when it comes to creating long or complex gene sequences. Camena’s innovative technology overcomes these limitations by employing an entirely new enzyme technology that enables precise production of synthetic DNA.
Camena Bioscience boasts an impressive leadership team. The CEO and Co-Founder, Steve Harvey, Ph.D., is renowned for his expertise in genomics research. Meanwhile, Derek Stemple, Ph.D., serves as the CSO and Co-Founder. He is a world-renowned molecular biologist who previously co-founded TwistDX—a company that was later acquired by Alere (now part of Abbott) in 2010.
Steve Harvey expressed his excitement about closing this latest round of funding with Mercia and emphasized how Camena’s gSynth platform revolutionizes the DNA synthesis market by unlocking access to genes and expediting discovery processes. He believes that while advances in DNA sequencing and editing capabilities have progressed significantly over time, DNA synthesis methods have lagged behind. Therefore, Camena aims to bridge this gap by enabling clients to “write” DNA with the same confidence and ease as they can currently “read” it.
Alongside this to securing funding, Camena Bioscience has made noteworthy board appointments. Lee Lindley, a member of Mercia’s investment team, has joined the company’s Board. With nearly a decade of corporate finance experience and educational background in Natural Sciences and Research Methods, Lindley is a valuable addition to the team. Another notable appointment is Aditya Rajagopal, founder and CTO of ChromaCode, Inc., who brings his expertise in developing scalable and affordable cancer tests.
Lee Lindley expressed his enthusiasm for supporting Camena Bioscience during its next phase of growth. He highlighted that while the market for synthetic genes is expanding rapidly, there is a significant demand for complex genes that are challenging to produce accurately. Therefore, Camena’s technology has the potential to revolutionize this field and tap into an even larger global market.
It is apparently, Camena Bioscience’s recent funding round signifies increasing demand for DNA synthesis technology in various industries. As sustainability and supply chain security become more crucial concerns, Camena’s green synthesis technology positions them favorably in this growing market.
The apex, Camena Bioscience’s successful Series A funding round led by Mercia highlights their innovative approach to DNA synthesis. By offering highly precise enzyme-based DNA synthesis technology through their gSynth platform, Camena addresses the limitations of traditional methods while unlocking access to genes and accelerating discovery processes. With strategic board appointments and an eye towards sustainability, Camena is poised for further growth within the rapidly expanding market for synthetic genes.
Source: According to the source.
