Biotech startups in IndieBio’s 15th cohort are making some extraordinary claims that could have significant payoffs. One company, Stream Genomics, offers a genome sequencing method and device that is faster and cheaper than the industry leader, Illumina. By reducing the need for wet-lab prep and shifting the computational load to the cloud, Stream Genomics aims to make sequencing quicker and more cost-effective. This innovation could be particularly beneficial for smaller operations that do not have the resources to send samples to third parties or build their own sequencing labs.
Another startup, AquaLith, is working on battery technology. They claim to have developed a silicon anode material that resists long-term wear and tear, a common issue in battery manufacturing. AquaLith plans to sell the material exclusively to battery makers who already have the means to produce batteries but need the silicon mixture they provide. Additionally, AquaLith is also developing a nonflammable battery cell. While many battery startups have come and gone over the years, AquaLith’s focus on solving a specific problem in the industry gives them a promising edge.
Farm Minerals is tackling the issue of expensive fertilizer in farming. The company is giving away its synthetic fertilizer for free as a stunt advertisement because it is incredibly cheap to produce. Farm Minerals encapsulates minerals in a super-bioavailable carbon casing, allowing for more efficient use of the minerals. Even small amounts of this fertilizer can cover large areas of land, significantly reducing costs for farmers.
Transition Biomining is taking a sci-fi approach to mining by focusing on the microbiome of rocks. By understanding and modifying the unique set of microbes living in and around rocks, Transition Biomining aims to extract more minerals from ore. While traditional methods still play a role, leveraging the power of microbes can make mining processes more efficient.
In addition to these startups, there are several others in IndieBio’s cohort that have intriguing projects. Able Sciences is developing self-amplifying RNA that lowers the cost of cell therapy. Bryosphere is creating treatments for age spots using a moss cell reactor. Hypercell offers simple and fast food safety testing for industrial packing facilities. Nutrition From Water sources low-carbon whey from aquaculture. SpiralWave develops plug-and-play cold plasma methanol reactors. Reactosome focuses on gene delivery through a supplementary nucleus. Rybodyn specializes in finding and characterizing unknown proteins from the “dark proteome.” California Organic supplies organic ammonia via fermentation. Cereswaves aims to boost crop and animal growth with an “electrofertilizer” that uses an energy field. Oxyle removes PFA from ground and waste water mechanically.
These startups have ambitious goals, and their progress will be closely followed at IndieBio’s demo day in June. Despite the seemingly outlandish claims, IndieBio’s chief science officer assures that the companies undergo thorough verification processes to ensure their legitimacy. With the potential for significant advancements in fields like genome sequencing, battery technology, agriculture, and mining, these biotech startups are pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
