Freenome
Multiomics platform company developing blood-based tests for early cancer detection using machine learning to analyze cell-free DNA, methylation, proteins, and other biomarkers.
Notes
Freenome is developing a multiomics platform for early cancer detection through simple blood draws. Unlike other liquid biopsy companies that focus primarily on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), Freenome analyzes multiple biomarker types including cell-free DNA, methylation patterns, proteins, and other signals using machine learning algorithms.
The company's lead program is focused on colorectal cancer screening, with a large-scale PREEMPT CRC study underway. Freenome has partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and is working to develop early detection tests for multiple cancer types.
Freenome has raised over $1.1 billion in total funding, making it one of the best-funded liquid biopsy companies. The company competes with Grail (Illumina), Guardant Health, and EXACT Sciences in the early cancer detection market.
Team
- Mike Nolan - CEO
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikenolanbio
- Gabriel Otte - Founder (now Board member)
- Charlie Roberts - Chief Scientific Officer
- David Haussler, Ph.D. - Scientific Advisory Board (UC Santa Cruz)
Additional Research Findings
- Founded in 2014, headquarters in South San Francisco
- Raised over $1.1 billion in total funding
- Series E raised $290 million in 2021
- Key investors include Polaris Partners, a][]z Ventures, RA Capital, Perceptive Advisors
- Lead program: colorectal cancer early detection
- PREEMPT CRC clinical study ongoing
- Multiomics approach: cfDNA, methylation, proteins, and more
- Uses AI/ML for biomarker analysis
- Partnerships with Roche for early cancer detection biomarkers
- Approximately 400 employees
Sources
Investors
| Name | Location | Type | Stages | Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polaris Partners | US | biotech-focused | - | 33 |