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Karius CEO, Mickey Kertesz, said, "This transformative round will allow Karius to help more patients faster, fuel the next wave of clinical studies, and accelerate technology innovation. We are humbled to be part of the team that delivered the first clinical applications of microbial cell-free DNA and are excited about what's ahead for Karius."
FREMONT, CA: Karius, a Redwood City, Califonia- based developer of liquid biopsy solutions, closed $165 million in a round of Series B funding. The round was led by Softbank Vision Fund 2, with significant participation from General Catalyst, HBM Healthcare Investments, and existing investors Khosla Ventures and LightSpeed Venture Partners.
Karius, with its Karius Test, pioneered the discovery and application of microbial cell-free DNA, enabling non-invasive detection of pathogens throughout the body. The Karius Test is now used in more than 100 hospitals and health systems across the nation.
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Karius CEO, Mickey Kertesz, said, "This transformative round will allow Karius to help more patients faster, fuel the next wave of clinical studies, and accelerate technology innovation. We are humbled to be part of the team that delivered the first clinical applications of microbial cell-free DNA and are excited about what's ahead for Karius."
The company intends to utilize the capital to accelerate clinical studies and technology innovations.
When microbes infect the human body, they leave traces of their DNA in blood, which is known as microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA). The Karius Test uses novel genomics and AI approaches to identify and measure the mcfDNA of more than 1,000 clinically relevant pathogens (including bacteria, fungi, DNA viruses, and parasites) from a single blood draw. Then inform doctors about the probable types and quantities of infectious microorganisms affecting their patients. The test result is typically delivered the day after sample receipt, giving doctors more time for a better diagnose and treatment of their patients.
Last year, Nature Microbiology published a journal seeking to establish the analytical and pathological validation of the Karius Test by showing that the test more accurately and rapidly identifies the likely pathogens causing infection when compared to standard methods. Recent peer-reviewed studies have also highlighted the clinical utility of the Karius Test in various populations with serious sicknesses. Additional publications suggest that Karius Test can be useful in other applications, including complex pneumonia, invasive fungal infections, and endocarditis. These studies explain the value of mcfDNA in helping doctors make rapid treatment decisions with accuracy.
See Also: Top Genomics Solution Companies
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