Karius, Inc., a pioneering company in the field of infectious disease detection, has announced a substantial $100 million Series C funding round. The investment was co-led by Khosla Ventures, 5AM Ventures, and Gilde Healthcare, with participation from new investor Seventure Partners and existing backers including Softbank Vision Fund 2 and General Catalyst.
This infusion of capital is set to propel Karius’ mission to broaden the application of the Karius Test®, a groundbreaking diagnostic tool that employs genomic analysis and artificial intelligence to identify over 1,000 pathogens from a mere blood sample. Currently utilized by 400 U.S. hospitals, the funding will facilitate the test’s expansion beyond hospital walls, meeting a growing demand from healthcare providers.
Alec Ford, CEO of Karius, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “In the U.S., infections are a silent threat to cancer patients, causing nearly 1,000 deaths daily. The Karius Test is our answer to this challenge, offering rapid diagnostics that are crucial for patient survival.” The new funding aims to enhance the company’s capacity to deliver these life-saving diagnostics more broadly.
The announcement also included the introduction of three new board members: Alex Morgan, M.D., Ph.D., from Khosla Ventures; Joep Muijrers, Ph.D., from Gilde Healthcare; and Andrew Booth from 5AM Ventures, joining recent high-profile additions like Dr. Norman Sharpless and Elizabeth O’Farrell.
Morgan emphasized the investment’s alignment with public health goals, noting, “Karius’ technology addresses the overuse of antibiotics and the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), enabling precise, targeted treatments.” Muijrers and Booth echoed this sentiment, expressing their excitement and pride in supporting Karius’ growth and impact on clinical care.
The Series C financing coincides with the promising results from the PICKUP1 trial, further solidifying Karius’ position as a leader in precision metagenomics and its potential to improve patient outcomes significantly.
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