Enhanced Genomics raises US$19m

Enhanced Genomics Ltd develops a 3D multi-omics platform that maps disease-associated genetic variants in three dimensions, in relevant human cell types. Its goal is to convert non-coding variation data into drug targets. The company focuses initially on common diseases with high unmet need, particularly autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. The recent funding will support expansion of its internal therapeutic pipeline and partnerships with biotech and pharma.

The platform is spun out from labs at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. Enhanced Genomics claims its technology is unique in being hypothesis-free and genome-wide, which allows identification of causal biology without pre-specifying disease mechanisms. Investors hope this increases the probability of success in drug discovery.

However, Enhanced Genomics faces competition. Other companies like Genomics plc use genome-wide association studies combined with machine learning to validate targets. SOPHiA GENETICS builds a cloud-based platform integrating genomic and multi-omics data across diseases. Arima Genomics applies 3D chromatin conformation mapping for target discovery and structural variant detection. 10x Genomics focuses on single-cell and spatial genomics, giving high-resolution cell-type maps of disease biology. Each of these technologies provides a different lens on causal variants, but none has yet advanced a therapeutic candidate to late-stage trials from its platform.

Early-stage competitors include Omniscope and Verge Genomics, which use multi-omics and AI to discover new drug targets. These may be faster to translate but risk less causal validity. Enhanced claims its 3D multi-omics atlas allows more precise cell-type specificity. That could reduce false leads but may require heavier data infrastructure and validation.

If Enhanced Genomics delivers on its promises, it might secure a strong position in target discovery. All these companies operate in a therapeutics discovery market—especially for autoimmune disease targets—that investors estimate will reach tens of billions of dollars globally.