Cambridge Epigenetix

What Cambridge Epigenetix does

Cambridge Epigenetix, now operating under the brand biomodal, is a UK-based biotechnology company founded in 2012 that has developed proprietary 6-base genome sequencing technology. The platform distinguishes 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) alongside the four canonical DNA bases (A, T, C, G) from a single low-input sample (as little as 5ng of DNA) in a single experiment, addressing the limitation of conventional sequencing platforms that cannot reliably resolve both genetic and epigenetic information at low sample input. Core offerings include the duet multiomics solution evoC (a full 6-base genome readout) and duet multiomics solution +modC (canonical bases plus modified cytosine), complemented by the modality XPLR software (v1.1.0 with beta modality Viewer) for 6-base data exploration and a custom solutions service for specialized research workflows. Manufacturing of the sequencing chemistry is based in the United Kingdom.

The company's go-to-market is research-focused, targeting academic institutions and pharmaceutical researchers across verticals including cancer research, neurodegenerative disease, ageing, precision medicine, liquid biopsy, and non-invasive prenatal testing. Distribution is enabled globally through a Certified Service Provider network, supplemented by content marketing, customer stories, scientific conferences, and a documentation portal. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and no revenue figures have been reported. The company has raised approximately $155 million cumulatively across five disclosed funding rounds between 2014 and 2021, with the $88 million Series D in November 2021 led by Temasek, alongside Google Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Ahren Innovation Capital, New Science Ventures, Third Point, and Third Point Ventures — investor quality that signals continued institutional conviction in the platform's commercial potential.

Name

Cambridge Epigenetix

Legal name

biomodal

Website

https://cambridge-epigenetix.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cambridge Epigenetix (biomodal) is a UK-based biotechnology company that has developed proprietary 6-base genome sequencing technology to simultaneously detect genetic and epigenetic markers from a single low-input DNA sample, serving academic and pharmaceutical researchers across cancer, neurodegeneration, ageing, and liquid biopsy applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Epigenetics and multiomics sequencing kits

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Epigenomics & Chromatin Profiling Services (HLAGANAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Bioinformatics & Multi-omics Analysis Software (HLAGAJAD), Genomic & Multi-Omic Biomarkers (NGS panels, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) (HLAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• DNA sequencing kits
• Epigenetic analysis
• Multiomics solutions
• Methylation sequencing
• 6-base genome

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cambridge Epigenetix (now operating as biomodal) develops and commercializes proprietary 6-base genome sequencing kits (the duet multiomics solution evoC and +modC) that simultaneously detect genetic and epigenetic information — including 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) alongside the four canonical DNA bases — from a single low-input (5ng) DNA sample in a single experiment. The company also offers the modality XPLR software for 6-base data exploration and custom multiomics solutions for specialized research needs.

Product overview

biomodal offers a multiomics platform centered on 6-base genome sequencing technology. The core products are the duet multiomics solution evoC and duet multiomics solution +modC, which integrate multiple modes of biology from a single sample in a single experiment. The duet evoC distinguishes 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) alongside all four canonical bases, while duet +modC assesses canonical bases plus modified cytosine. Supporting offerings include modality XPLR (version 1.1.0) with its beta modality Viewer for data exploration, and custom solutions for specialized research applications. The platform enables enhanced genomic information at lower cost compared to existing sequencing platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• duet multiomics solution evoC: A true 6-base genome that distinguishes 5mC and 5hmC together with all four canonical bases to measure multiple modes of biology
• duet multiomics solution +modC
• modality XPLR
• duet multiomics solution

Quantifiable outcome

• Launch of first product expected in early 2022, with subsequent platform products planned

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Illumina: Dominant sequencing platform vendor whose installed base biomodal's chemistry layers onto. Illumina is also actively expanding into multi-omic and methylation readouts (e.g., Epicypher/TruMethyl products), making it both the primary channel partner and the largest competitive threat.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major life-sciences tools provider with sequencing (Ion Torrent), methylation analysis reagents, and diagnostics franchises. Overlaps with biomodal in cancer epigenetics research and translational diagnostics and could acquire or compete with the platform.

Direct peers

• Oxford Nanopore Technologies: Long-read sequencing company whose platforms natively detect modified bases including 5mC and 5hmC. Closest direct technical competitor to biomodal's 6-base genome concept, particularly for liquid biopsy and epigenetic biomarker discovery.
• Pacific Biosciences: Long-read sequencing platform (HiFi reads) that has invested in methylation calling and multi-omic applications. Competes with biomodal for researchers and translational programs that want combined genetic + epigenetic information.
• New England Biolabs: Provider of epigenetic and methylation-related reagents (e.g., NEBNext enzymatic methyl-seq / EM-seq) used in academic and translational workflows. Direct competitor to biomodal's chemistry for 5mC/5hmC analysis at scale.
• Zymo Research: Specialist in DNA methylation bisulfite and related epigenetics kits/services. Targets similar research and translational epigenetics customers as biomodal with established product lines in 5mC analysis.
• Diagenode: Epigenetics-focused tools and services company offering methylation analysis kits and antibody-based assays. Overlaps with biomodal in cancer, ageing and neurodegenerative disease epigenetic research applications.
• Active Motif: Epigenetics reagents and services provider with kits for methylation/hydroxymethylation analysis. Competes with biomodal's duet multiomics offerings in the research-use market.

Emerging players

• Element Biosciences: Next-generation benchtop sequencer (AVITI) expanding into multi-omic and methylation applications. Competes for the same research-customer wallet share and represents a potential platform partner or competitor for biomodal's chemistry.
• Singular Genomics: Developer of the G4 benchtop sequencer pursuing multi-omic and epigenetic readouts. Comparable to biomodal as an emerging player trying to differentiate on richer data per run, including methylation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-epigenetix
• Xx.com/cegx_news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors11 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge Epigenetix