Epigene Labs

What is Epigene Labs?

Epigene Labs catalyzes the integration of genomics into oncology R&D decision-making. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, our technology platform enables cancer drug hunters to leverage state-of-the-art AI in the exploration of exponentially increasing amounts of genomic data – spanning multiple public and private databases, cancer types, and molecular layers. We develop this platform through value-based partnerships with leading cancer centers and biotech companies in Europe and in the US.

Business and value proposition

Epigene allows smart aggregation of genomic data for drug discovery in oncology.

The company aims to build a fully integrated genomics database (core database) as well as a seamless interface (drug discovery applications) for the analysis of genomic data powered by advanced biostatistics, artificial intelligence, and system biology methods.

Why we invested?

Most of the drugs curing illnesses have been developed for the overall population. However, in order to achieve better outcomes in terms of higher effectiveness and lower toxicology, pharmaceutical companies need to tailor drugs to individual patients and thus stop the one-fits-all approach. The big challenge faced by the industry is the discovery of the right target, stemming from the question of how to find and leverage relevant data for this specific purpose. Two major innovations have been brought to the data sector, being used for both diagnosis and therapy, namely Flatiron Health focusing on electronic medical records and Owkin focusing on imaging data. However, given the type of data, these two players are mainly focusing on later drug development stages (you opt-out some people that you know will react badly). Epigene represents a new opportunity of leveraging data for drug discovery, focusing on oncology. By allowing aggregation of genomic data, the company can generate early stage drug discovery (identification of the target before the first studies). Thus Epigene has the potential of being the third major innovation in the health data sector for drug discovery.