US Genomics, catapulted to industry attention with Craig Venter’s endorsement and its buzzed-about video of unspooling single molecules of DNA, has embarked on raising a fourth round of private equity investment, hoping to secure enough money to last the company three years, according to CEO Eugene Chan.

“We want to raise enough money to take us to profitability and a public offering before three years are up, maybe as early as 18 months,” he says.