California-based institutions Transcriptic, a robotic cloud laboratory platform, and 3Scan, a digital 3D tissue model specialist, have announced a merger to form the company Strateos.
The newly formed entity combines the engineering capabilities of the two previous companies to help automate chemical, biological and 3D image analysis in a closed loop robotic laboratory, with the aim of accelerating drug discovery programs. Alongside the establishment of the new company, the Strateos board have also announced its new CEO and President in Mark-Fischer Colbrie, who will also sit on the board of directors.
“Accelerating discovery and achieving breakthroughs more efficiently has been an on-going goal of mine for decades,” commented Colbrie.
“I am pleased to join this group of innovators and to help hone cutting edge technologies as we become the preferred partner to biopharma in their discovery and development efforts.”
Combining robotics and 3D imaging to advance drug discovery
The robotic cloud laboratory from Transcriptic is designed to “accelerate time to market, reduces costs, and improve reproducibility” for life science companies by providing an automated and scalable platform for their research. As such Transcriptic aims to advance drug discovery and research with expertise in a variety of different industries.
3Scan, on the other hand, focuses on creating detailed 3D representations of tissue models by using automation and machine learning to extract spatial data from tissue samples. Its technology also enables the quantitative image analysis of conditions like cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s disease.
Significantly, both companies have a history of utilizing robotics and artificial intelligence to aid the pharmaceutical drug discovery process. Their portfolios will be combined under Strateos to further advance the drug discovery process for pharmaceutical companies by providing an expanded selection of technologies, including 3D imaging. As both companies operate in California, their close proximity aids the integration of their businesses.
“The future of scientific discovery is now happening at the edge where disciplines meet, where advanced biology and high-tech engineering combine, where wet labs, chemistry, 3D imaging and robotic automation technologies operate together to unleash more control and creativity from scientists than ever before possible,” commented Strateos Board member and Lux Capital Managing Director Josh Wolfe. “We are thrilled to help build a globally impactful and historic company.”
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3D imaging enables medical breakthroughs
In what could be seen as a complement to 3D bioprinting, 3D imaging technology is continuously being used in medicine to advance the analysis of tissue models, microorganisms, embryos, and organs.
In 2018, researchers at the University of St Andrews in Scotland discovered two new techniques for creating 3D images of internal, biological tissues. The new 3D scanning methods were able to provide a complete 3D image without rotating or taking multiple images of a specimen. The University of Leuven (KU Leuven), and life sciences research institute VIB have also recently developed a multi-color method of imaging biological matter.
Following the merger, Strateos has also revealed additional investments of $16.5M from venture capital firms DCVC (Data Collective) and Lux Capital, with support from Dolby Family Ventures as well. The funding will help to support the company’s expansion and overall mission.
“As a longtime lead investor in both companies, DCVC anticipates the combined entity will be exponentially more impactful,” explained Armen Vidian, Strateos Board member and DCVC Operating Partner. “Each of these companies has enabled multinational pharmaceutical companies to dramatically improve the efficiency of their drug discovery programs.”
“But taken together, Strateos can transform the speed, scale, cost, and precision of scientists’ ability to discover new life-saving medicines across multiple steps in the discovery process.”
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Author: Anas Essop
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