Second Genome

Second Genome is a venture capital funded, life sciences research company based in South San Francisco.[1] The company's focus is on the development and exploitation of a research platform which facilitates the identification and elucidation of relationships between human physiology and the human microbiota,[1][2] and it has a long term goal of becoming a drug development company.[3] The name "second genome" comes from the notion that humans have, effectively, two genomes: the native human genome, and the more diverse set of genomes carried by the human microbiota.[4]

Second Genome
Founded2010 Edit this on Wikidata
Founder
  • Corey Goodman
  • Todd DeSantis
Headquarters
South San Francisco Edit this on Wikidata
,
United States Edit this on Wikidata
Key people
Peter DiLaura (President, CEO as of 2016)
Number of employees
25 (2016)
Websitewww.secondgenome.com Edit this on Wikidata

The company's first foray into drug development was a small molecule treatment for ulcerative colitis (SGM-1019).[3][5][notes 1][notes 2] The mechanism of SGM-1019 has not been disclosed in detail.[5] Key to the company's business model has been partnerships with large established pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Janssen.[1] Potential competitors to Second Genome include Kaleido Biosciences, Synlogic, Kallyope, Seres Therapeutics, OpenBiome, Rebiotix, Evelo Therapeutics,[2] and Vedanta Biosciences.[3]

Second Genome was founded in 2010 by Corey Goodman, a venture capitalist and former Pfizer executive,[3] and Todd DeSantis, the company's vice president for informatics as of 2019.[6] As of 2013, the company had entered into an ulcerative colitis research agreement with Janssen,[7] the financial arrangement and outcome of which remains to be determined. The company had a headcount of 18 employees as of 2014,[1] which had increased to 25 by 2016.[3] Startup financing was obtained through a Series A round which raised US$11.5 million.[1] A Series B round of funding raised US$42.6 million in 2016.[3] By 2016, the company had established a DNA sequencing service aimed at microbial samples, which provided revenue to supplement venture capital infusions.[3] As of 2019, the company had secured a two-year SBIR grant in collaboration with Oregon State University, aimed at studying microbiome metabolites from people suffering from nervous system disorders, in particular autism.[6]

As of 2016, the company's president and chief executive officer was Peter DiLaura.[1][3]

Notes
  1. Searches in clinicaltrials.gov on 3 August 2017 did not reveal information about trials sponsored by Second Genome or using the therapeutic SGM-1019.
  2. Timmerman 2016 refers to indication being ulcerative colitis; Lash 2015 refers to indication being Crohn's disease.

References
  1. Koberstein, Wayne (July 2014). "Second Geome". Companies To Watch. Life Science Leader. Jameson Publishing. 6 (7): 14.
  2. Jacobson, Don (19 July 2017). "Mayo Continues Venture Funding of Gut Microbiome Companies with Latest Stake". Twin Cities Business. Minnesota, United States: MSP Communications. Retrieved 4 August 2017. Second Genome's product is essentially a platform that combines genomics technologies, computational biology, and phenotypic screening which allows researchers to develop drugs....
  3. Timmerman, Luke (20 April 2016). "Pfizer, Roche Embrace The Microbiome, Leading $43M Bet On Second Genome". Forbes.
  4. Shukla, Triveni P. (2014). Our Genes, Our Foods, Our Choices. Bloomington, Indiana, United States: Author House. p. 89. ISBN 9781496928580. OCLC 890626454. One hundred trillion bacteria in our colon and their genes, our second genome, matter to our immunity and sustainable health. --Triveni P. Shukla
  5. Lash, Alex (12 January 2015). "Second Genome Has Begun First Drug Trial Based on Microbiome Secrets". Xconomy. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  6. Lundeberg, Steve (25 May 2019). "OSU part of $1.94 million grant to study connection between autism, microbiome". The World. Oregon, United States: Lee Enterprises. p. A12. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Sell, David (9 June 2013). "Large, small drug firms join for profitable results". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Vol. 185, no. 9. Interstate General Media. p. D4. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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