Sequence Bio
Sequence Bio is a genomics research company that studies the genetics of families in Newfoundland and Labrador to identify causal links between genes and inherited diseases. By leveraging the region's founder effects and pairing genomic data with deep clinical and family health histories, the company aims to improve drug target selection and accelerate development of diagnostics and therapies. Its active research programs focus on conditions including MASH, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Dupuytren's contracture, and Peyronie's disease.
- Biotechnology
- Drug Discovery & Therapeutics
- Healthcare Technology
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
Product
Problem
Approximately 90% of potential drugs fail during development, often because they lack sufficient genetic evidence to prove they will work. This high failure rate stems from a poor understanding of causal links between genes and disease, leading to ineffective drug targets and unpredictable treatment responses.
Solution
Sequence Bio studies the genetics of families in Newfoundland and Labrador, a population with founder effects that amplify the genetic drivers of disease. By pairing deep clinical and family health histories with genomic analysis, the company moves beyond association to causal evidence, linking genes to disease with high confidence. This approach identifies the right drug targets and predictors of disease and treatment response from the start, enabling the development of better diagnostics, preventions, and therapies for inherited conditions. The company's research aims to uncover genetic links that may go undetected in other populations, accelerating the path from novel genetic insights to life-changing medicines.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking genetically validated drug targets and biomarkers, as well as clinical researchers studying inherited disease mechanisms.
Features
- Founder population study design leveraging Newfoundland and Labrador's genetic similarity and large family sizes to detect inherited disease signals
- Integration of genomic data with deep clinical and family health histories to establish causal gene-disease relationships
- Active research programs in MASH (formerly NASH), psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Dupuytren's contracture, and Peyronie's disease
- Family-based cohort recruitment comparing affected and unaffected relatives to identify genetic factors passed down through generations
- Partnerships with Memorial University of Newfoundland, NL Health Services, and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to accelerate translation of genetic insights