NEW YORK – British genomic research and data-sharing firm Sano Genetics said Monday that it has closed a Series A funding round worth $11 million (£8.3 million). MMC Ventures led the round, with participation from previous investors Episode 1 and Seedcamp, as well as individuals including former Ancestry CEO Margo Georgiadis.
Sano has developed a data-sharing platform, which is designed to allow individuals to submit their medical and genetic data for matching them with clinical studies. The Cambridge, UK-based firm also offers free genomic sequencing and analysis for people who participate in its partnered research programs, with an eye toward accelerating research into genetic diseases.
The company is particularly interested in long COVID, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic conditions.
"This funding takes us closer to our mission to build the platform that we, and many others — patients and researchers — wish was available a decade ago, one that will make research much faster, more cost-effective, and a vastly better experience for patients," Sano CEO and Cofounder Patrick Short said in a statement.
"There is an urgent need to solve the largest problems in clinical trials: patient recruitment and engagement," added Charlotte Barttelot, an investor at MMC Ventures. "This is where Sano's innovative software platform, which allows them to interact directly with patients, biotech, and broader healthcare communities, can be transformational for the future of personalized medicine."
Sano closed a £2.5 million seed round in January 2021 after picking up £500,000 in seed funding in 2019.