Personalis has filed to list on the Nasdaq Global Market through an offering that would come eight years after the genome sequencing platform was spun out of Stanford University.
Personalis, a US-based genome sequencing platform for cancer research spun out of Stanford University, has filed for a $115m initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market.
Founded in 2011, Personalis has developed a platform that enables genome sequencing and analytics for personalised cancer vaccines and immunotherapies. Its accuracy and content enhanced (Ace) technology helps biopharmaceutical firms drive immuno-oncological clinical and biomarker discovery programs.
The spinout was co-founded by chief executive John West, former CEO of diabetes cell therapy developer ViaCyte, together with Euan Ashley, associate professor of medicine, and Russ Altman, professor of bioengineering, genetics and medicine at Stanford.
Michael Snyder, the Stanford Ascherman professor and chair of genetics and director of the Center of Genomics and Personalized Medicine, is also a co-founder, as is Atul Butte, the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg distinguished professor at University of California, San Francisco.
Personalis hopes to use proceeds to boost its research and development activities, expand its infrastructure and facilities, recruit additional staff and support sales and marketing efforts. The spinout has not given any further details.
Personalis has raised $75m in equity funding to date. Lightspeed Venture Partners led a $33m series C round in 2015 that also featured Stanford University, Abingworth, Mohr Davidow Ventrues and assorted angel investors.
Abingworth led a $22m series B round in 2013, with participation from Lightspeed, Mohr Davidow and Wellington Shields, after Stanford, Abingworth, Lightspeed, Mohr Davidow and several private investors had injected $20m in series A capital in 2011.
Stanford University currently owns a 6.5% stake in Personalis, while Lightspeed is the largest shareholder with 27.8%. Abingworth holds a 25% stake and Mohr Davidow Ventures retains 12%.
Morgan Stanley, BofA Merrill Lynch and Cowen have been appointed joint bookrunning managers for the proposed offering.
Thierry Heles
Thierry Heles is the editor of Global University Venturing, host of the Beyond the Breakthrough interview podcast and responsible for the monthly GUV Gazette (sign up here for free).
