J. Craig Venter Launches Diploid Genomics, Inc. to Revolutionize Human Genomics

Diploid Genomics, Inc. (DGI), an innovative AI-driven advanced genomics analytics company, has been launched in partnership with Healthier Capital, a prominent health-tech venture capital firm, under the guidance of genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, Ph.D. This initiative marks a significant advancement in human genomics, as DGI is focused on creating a next-generation discovery and diagnostics platform for complex and life-threatening diseases.

DGI intends to utilize sophisticated AI models alongside state-of-the-art genomic sequencing technology, advanced imaging, and comprehensive health data to provide diagnostic insights that are more precise for life science companies, health systems, researchers, and patients. “At Healthier Capital, we are inspired by the pioneering spirit of J. Craig Venter and the DGI leadership team and are enthusiastic to serve as co-founders in delivering transformative impacts to better preventing, diagnosing, treating and innovating care,” stated Healthier Capital partner, Aman Mahajan M.D., Ph.D.

The company’s unique approach integrates proprietary AI technology that merges genomic sequencing with advanced imaging and additional data sources. “We believe that DGI’s proprietary, AI-driven approach to combining genomics sequencing with advanced imaging and additional data sources, will transform the way treatments are developed, diseases are diagnosed, and therapies are delivered,” remarked Healthier Capital founder and managing partner, Amir Dan Rubin.

DGI has been strategically designed from the outset as a high-leverage platform, leveraging an extensive partner ecosystem. With access to cutting-edge sequencing technology from PacBio and Oxford Nanopore, along with proprietary genomics and imaging data from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) and select collaborators, DGI is launching with significant data assets and technical advantages. The company is actively seeking strategic partnerships with leading academic medical centers, AI organizations, and life sciences companies.

In addition, DGI is establishing its own sequencing center in a new location along the San Diego waterfront, and will pursue CLIA certification to enable the provision of AI-enhanced, next-generation clinical-grade sequencing.

DGI was formed using the expertise from JCVI and is led by Dr. Venter, along with multimodal imaging expert Anders Dale, Ph.D., and computational sciences expert Gene Myers, Ph.D. Dr. Venter, who founded JCVI and its predecessor organization, The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR), is renowned for decoding the genome of the first free-living organism and leading the effort to sequence the first human genome, a milestone announced by President Bill Clinton at the White House.

Dr. Dale serves as JCVI’s president and is a professor at the University of California, San Diego, where he has focused on advanced techniques for analyzing multimodal imaging data and integrating it with genomic information. Dr. Myers has an extensive background in bioinformatics and was instrumental in developing key tools and protocols that contributed to significant genomic discoveries.

Healthier Capital’s involvement as a co-founder and sole external investor in DGI’s seed funding round, which closed in January, highlights their commitment to advancing healthcare innovations. Dr. Venter expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to have Healthier Capital as a co-founder and lead investor in our funding round. Their deep experience in healthcare delivery, scientific and clinical enterprises, and their wide network across the health-tech ecosystem will be of great advantage to DGI and should position us well as we seek to finally realize the full potential of genomics to change healthcare.”

About Diploid Genomics, Inc.: DGI is a spinoff from the J. Craig Venter Institute, focused on developing a next-generation discovery and diagnostics platform aimed at enhancing predictability and actionability of health outcomes for complex diseases.

About Healthier Capital: Healthier Capital partners with technology-driven healthcare innovators to foster transformative impacts and create significant value in health outcomes.