Plural invested in UK-based biotech Sano Genetics

Plural, founded by Estonian entrepreneurs Sten Tamkivi and Taavet Hinrikus, led a $11,4M round in UK-based biotech Sano Genetics. Existing investors London-based MMC Ventures, Episode 1, and Seedcamp also participated in this round. 

Founded in Cambridge in 2016 by Patrick Short, Charlotte Guzzo, and William Jones, Sano Genetics is an AI-powered precision trial platform that helps biotech and pharma companies find the most appropriate patients for participating in their clinical trials. According to the startup, it allows to recruit patients faster and at a lower cost and engage them to participate in trials again.

The platform automates the following processes: patients' consent, questionnaires, screening, genetic testing, genetic counseling, and matchmaking with trial sites. In addition, it allows storing patients' medical records for up to 7 years, including doctor's notes, medical history, scans, and tests. 

Sano Genetics will use the investment to meet the demand for its products and expand into more countries. In 2023, the company saw 5x growth ARR year-on-year and doubled its team to 62 employees.

Founded in 2022 by Sten Tamkivi, Taavet Hinrikus, Ian Hogarth, and Khaled Helioui, Plural is a €250M early-stage venture fund. It focuses on leading early-stage rounds between €1 and €10M. Among its recent investments are Danish healthtech Teton, US asset-backed secured credit card Pesto, Dutch nanoparticle generator VSParticle, London-based carbon removal registry Isometric, a British AI-powered tool for detecting harmful online content Unitary, and British legal tech Robin AI.