Used in the discovery of COVID-19 vaccines, genomics data analyses SaaS MiLaboratories raises $2.3 million

MiLaboratories, makers of MiXCR, a software suite that analyses genomics data to build a complete picture of immune response at the DNA level, has raised $2.3 million in a seed funding round. The capital will be used to develop a next-generation version of MiXCR as the startup continues to expand its Latvia-based office. 

Since 2009, the MiLaboratories team including CTO Dmitriy Bolotin, CSO Dmitriy Chudakov, and CEO Stanislav Poslavsky have been publishing a series of academic papers on adaptive immunity. Looking to further their research, the team built an R&D algorithm, one that would lay the groundwork for MiXCR.

Today, an augmentation of that original idea now includes AI and cloud calculation features that are used to analyse and process massive genomic data sets, delivering them in a visually friendly format, all at industry-leading speed. According to the company their offer, “can process around 1TB of genomics data on a standard MacBook Pro in one hour, comparing to days for other solutions.”

It’s this crucial speed factor that saw MiXCR used in the preclinical and phase 1 R&D processes by pharmaceutical companies in the discovery of COVID-19 vaccines.

Speaking exclusively to Tech.eu, Poslavsky explained, “MiXCR was used to measure the effect on the immune system, measure the amplitude, type and duration of the immune response, and identify the specific immune response generated against the target substances. It's used in preclinical and phase 1 R&D processes.”

When pressed on which companies specifically, Poslavsky commented, “Unfortunately, we can't publicly disclose our clients' names.”

With US-based, publicly listed Adaptive Biotechnologies being a key competitor, I asked Poslavsky how David intends to take on Goliath.

“MiLaboratories’ solution is much more flexible and universal for our clients. E.g. researchers can apply our software to their own data, generated in their own lab. With Adaptive, researchers have less flexibility in their experiments. Researchers need to send tissue/blood samples off to Adaptive, and are unable to control preparation protocols.”

MiLaboratories’ investment round was led by Vienna’s Speedinvest and Amsterdam-based Acrobator Ventures.

“Investments into the biotechnology industry accelerated due to COVID-19, and genomic analytical platforms are here to stay. We will see new data-centric approaches emerging from applying AI to find novel treatments to going into deep tech applications for pharma,” commented Speedinvests’ Arnaud Bakker. “The MiLaboratories team is well-positioned to play a significant role in the much-cited bio revolution.”