SeqBiome – a spinout from APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre, University College Cork (UCC) and Teagasc – has been unveiled, and will provide interactive sequencing and microbiome analysis for academia and industry, it has been announced.
It will create meaningful microbiome insights for clients across industries such as pharmaceuticals, nutrition, sport, healthcare, agriculture and other life sciences.
Hi-tech jobs
Director of APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre, Professor Paul Ross, said: “SeqBiome is a great example of APC’s ambition to translate high-quality research and state-of-the-art capability into commercial reality with the creation of increased critical mass, hi-tech jobs and economic success, centred around microbiome science.
"This is perfectly aligned with SFI objectives and government strategy to deliver economic impact built on a world-class scientific knowledge base.”
Professor Mark Ferguson, director general, Science Foundation Ireland and chief scientific adviser to the government, said: “I am delighted to see SeqBiome launch in the areas of sequence analysis and bioinformatics, demonstrating the strength of the Irish research ecosystem in supporting the commercialisation and transfer of cutting-edge research into the marketplace.
"It highlights the important role played by the SFI Research Centres in advancing knowledge, enhancing enterprise and industry, developing critical skills and growing Ireland’s international reputation for research excellence.”
Tremendous milestone
Professor Anita R Maguire, VP research and innovation, UCC, said: "The launch of SeqBiome, as the most recent spin-out company to emerge based on the excellent research under way within APC, is very welcome – bringing this capability in sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of microbiome to commercial reality is a tremendous milestone for those involved in this research area within APC."
Dr Marcus Claesson, SeqBiome founder and CEO, said: “Microbiome analysis is a complex and time-consuming process. It requires the support of expensive sequencing facilities, significant computational power and an extensive expertise in bioinformatic analysis and interpretation.
"Without these in-house capabilities, commercial organisations struggle to derive meaningful and reliable information about their products and their impact on microbiomes. After a short few months our existing clients and partners already include Nestle, MARS Petcare, Atlantia, Alpinia Institute, Microbion and the PrecisionBiotics Group.
"We’re building a vastly experienced team with a shared vision to help these and other organisations develop world class products that make a real difference to microbiome health."
'Endless possibilities'
UCC innovation director Dr Rich Ferrie said: ’UCC Innovation has played a key role in the launch of new UCC spin-out SeqBiome Ltd and I am delighted to see the establishment of this exciting company which has seen first-class research and state-of-the-art capability transition into a commercial reality with endless possibilities for growth and expansion."
Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle, said: “Teagasc is delighted to see the launch of the spin-out company, SeqBiome Ltd. It’s a further reflection of the cutting-edge nature of the applied microbiome, DNA sequencing- and bioinformatics-related research that is carried out at Teagasc.
"It also exemplifies another route through which Teagasc can contribute to high quality job creation to support the Irish economy.”
Visit www.seqbiome.com for more information.