MiLaboratories, a San Francisco-based startup, has secured $10 million in a Series A funding round. The company aims to accelerate genomic research with its computational biology platform. The funding round was led by Madrid-based Kfund.
Other investors included Acrobator Ventures, EGB Capital, Courtyard Ventures, Somersault Ventures, Speedinvest, and Ten13. MiLaboratories has been developing its platform for the past four years. The platform is designed to help biologists analyze and manage large genomic datasets more easily.
The platform incorporates features such as data visualization and generative AI. It also serves as a marketplace where scientists can distribute specialized computational tools in the form of apps. CEO Stan Poslavsky says the platform adopts a “no code” approach for biologists.
It also offers an open-source software development kit (SDK) for bioinformaticians to build applications. Poslavsky explains that there is a friction between the data generated by biologists and the available data analysis tools. Many existing software programs focus on utility rather than usability.
MiLaboratories aims to streamline the process. It allows scientists to integrate results from multiple analyses into a unified picture.
Funding supports MiLaboratories’ genomic research
This can simplify understanding the underlying data insights. The company hopes to alleviate bioinformaticians from menial tasks associated with genomic data processing. This will allow them to focus on more complex tasks, such as building algorithms.
The platform’s SDK is now officially available to third-party developers. About 300 labs are already using the platform, with 20 apps currently available. MiLaboratories offers its software for free to academics.
Commercial users can access it through a paid model. The company has nearly 100 paying customers, including major pharmaceutical companies like Moderna and Bristol-Myers Squibb. The startup previously raised a $2.5 million seed round and secured additional pre-seed funding from angel investors.
Poslavsky emphasizes that handling the enormous amounts of data generated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) requires highly efficient processing. The company’s patented technology allows for optimized calculations, reaching 10x efficiency compared to other computational workflows. MiLaboratories’ platform sets itself apart by offering an accessible route to data insights.
Poslavsky names Nextflow as a close rival but believes MiLaboratories’ approach to simplifying and democratizing access to complex data is its key differentiator. With the new funding, MiLaboratories aims to expand its team, particularly by hiring more engineers and developer advocates. The startup hopes these efforts will engage more scientists to develop and share their applications on the platform, further enhancing its utility for genomic research.
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