Seek Labs

What Seek Labs does

Seek Labs is a preclinical-stage molecular medicine company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, building an AI-powered genomic intelligence platform that programs both therapeutics and diagnostics from pathogen sequence data. The core engine, BioSeeker, ingests global genomic sequence data, identifies conserved disease targets, screens out human host and microbiome similarity, and routes outputs into two product paths: Sequence Ablation Therapeutics (SAT) executed through the Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP) — a CRISPR-based modality that uses 3–8 multiplexed guides per pathogen to target conserved viral or oncogene sequences — and SeekIt, a point-of-care molecular diagnostics platform integrating Velox sample extraction, ANINA isothermal amplification (U.S. Patent No. 12,618,795 B2), and mLFA detection to deliver PCR-grade results in 15–30 minutes without electricity or instruments. A Global Disease Atlas covering 145+ infectious diseases, 25/25 WHO priority viral families, and 30+ oncology programs in progress underlies both product lines. The company has no commercial product revenue and all candidates remain investigational.

The business model is multi-stream and partnership-driven rather than product-sales-driven at this stage. Revenue mechanics include non-dilutive government grants (e.g., $2M USDA APHIS award for HPAI therapeutic development in 2026), therapeutic co-development and licensing arrangements with pharmaceutical partners for shared-IP SAT programs, diagnostic component licensing (BioSeeker + ANINA as an integrated primer/probe + amplification pair, or Velox as a standalone sample-prep module), and structured early-access SeekIt pilots with public-health, defense, biosecurity, and animal-health partners. Customer segments span U.S. federal agencies (USDA, BARDA, DoD), international government health bodies (CFIA), pharmaceutical and biotech companies, animal-health organizations, and point-of-care healthcare providers. GTM motion blends enterprise field sales to government and pharma decision-makers with product-led pilot-driven adoption for SeekIt and OEM/channel licensing for diagnostic components.

Seek Labs is governed by co-founders Jared Bauer (CEO) and Brad Bauer (CTO) with a board including Bill Stoddart (Board Chair), Randy Rasmussen (co-founder of BioFire Diagnostics), and executives with Genentech, Denali Therapeutics, and University of Utah backgrounds. Scientific leadership includes a Doudna-lab-trained CRISPR expert, ex-Recursion and ex-Eurofins R&D leadership, and a former USDA virologist heading therapeutics. All products are preclinical; the company explicitly states no candidate has been approved by FDA or any regulatory authority.

Name

Seek Labs

Legal name

Seek Labs, Inc.

Website

https://seeklabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Seek Labs is a preclinical-stage molecular medicine company that uses its BioSeeker AI engine to design CRISPR-based Sequence Ablation Therapeutics and the instrument-free SeekIt point-of-care diagnostics platform, serving government biodefense, pharmaceutical, animal-health, and public-health partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Target Identification & Validation Platforms (omics-driven, chemoproteomics, genetic validation) (HLAAAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

CRISPR & Functional Genomics Screening Platforms (pooled/arrayed screens, perturb-seq) (HLAAAIAG), Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF)

Keywords

• CRISPR therapeutics
• Molecular diagnostics
• Biodefense countermeasures
• Point-of-care testing
• AI genomic discovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Co-development and Licensing: Joint programs against priority pathogens with shared IP, shared risk, shared upside with pharmaceutical partners. Target-specific or family-specific PTAP licenses for partners to design SAT constructs against pathogens on their roadmap.
2. Government and Biodefense Contracts: Non-dilutive funding from federal agencies including USDA, BARDA, and defense innovation networks. $2M USDA grant awarded for HPAI therapeutic development. Multiple federal innovation pathways engaged including BARDA RRPV, BioMaP, MCDC, MTEC, DARPA Connect, and NAVALX Vulcan.
3. Diagnostic Platform Licensing: Component licensing of BioSeeker + Seek Amplification (ANINA) as integrated AI-designed primer/probe and isothermal amplification pair, or Seek Extraction (Velox) as standalone field-deployable sample prep module for developers and diagnostic companies.
4. Diagnostic Co-development: Co-development of SeekIt-compatible molecular tests using BioSeeker Primer Finder, Seek Extraction, Seek Amplification, and mLFA detection with partners in public health, defense, biosecurity, and animal health.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Seek Labs develops programmable CRISPR-based therapeutics through its PTAP platform and point-of-care molecular diagnostics through its SeekIt platform, both powered by the BioSeeker AI genomic intelligence engine. The company maps conserved genetic vulnerabilities across 145+ infectious diseases and 30+ oncology programs, then routes those targets into Sequence Ablation Therapeutics (multiplexed CRISPR ablators) or SeekIt diagnostics (integrated extraction, isothermal amplification, and lateral flow detection). All candidates are investigational and preclinical-stage; revenue is generated through co-development partnerships, platform licensing, government grants, and component-level diagnostic licensing rather than direct product sales.

Product overview

Seek Labs operates a platform-plus-modules architecture built around one AI intelligence layer (BioSeeker) that powers two product platforms: Sequence Ablation Therapeutics (SAT) for programmable CRISPR-based therapeutics and SeekIt for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. BioSeeker reads global genomic sequence data to identify conserved disease targets, generating PTAP guides for SAT therapeutics and primer/probe designs for SeekIt diagnostics. The SAT platform uses PTAP (Programmable Target Ablation Platform) to create CRISPR ablators targeting multiple conserved sequences simultaneously. The SeekIt diagnostics platform integrates Velox (Seek Extraction) for sample preparation, ANINA (Seek Amplification) for isothermal nucleic acid amplification, and mLFA detection for readout—available as a portable SeekIt device or modular Field Kit. All mapped disease targets feed into the Global Disease Atlas, a living library now covering 145+ infectious diseases and 30+ oncology programs. The company is preclinical stage with investigational candidates not yet approved by FDA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BioSeeker: AI-powered genomic intelligence platform that reads global sequence data, identifies conserved disease targets, and screens for host/microbiome similarity to produce designs for therapeutics and diagnostics.
• PTAP (Programmable Target Ablation Platform)
• SeekIt
• ANINA (Asymmetric Semi-Nested Isothermal Nucleotide Amplification)
• Velox (Seek Extraction)

Products and services

• BioSeeker AI-powered genomic intelligence engine that reads global pathogen sequence data to identify conserved disease targets. Converts sequence discoveries into PTAP guides for Sequence Ablation Therapeutics and primer/probe designs for SeekIt Diagnostics. Screens out anything resembling the human host or microbiome.
• SeekIt Diagnostics Platform Molecular point-of-care diagnostics platform delivering PCR-grade molecular results in 15-30 minutes without electricity, instruments, or lab infrastructure. Integrates extraction, amplification, and detection in sealed, single-use disposable format. Targets biodefense, agricultural biosecurity, public health, and animal health applications.
• Sequence Ablation Therapeutics (SAT) CRISPR-based therapeutic modality that locates and ablates multiple conserved disease sequences simultaneously. Targets genetic sequences that viruses and tumors cannot afford to lose, reducing disease burden and enabling immune clearance. Platform applies to viral disease, antimicrobial resistance, oncology, and agricultural pathogens.
• PTAP (Programmable Target Ablation Platform) Programmable therapeutic execution layer that converts BioSeeker targets into SAT therapeutic constructs through standardized, modular design principles. Uses multiplexed CRISPR ablators to target 3-8 essential sequences per pathogen or oncogene simultaneously.
• Velox (Seek Extraction) Gravity-driven sample extraction technology that releases and purifies DNA and RNA from raw biological samples in under two minutes without centrifuge, spin column, or power. Validated across tissue, whole blood, saliva, urine, respiratory UTM, and bacterial cultures.
• ANINA (Seek Amplification) Isothermal nucleic acid amplification chemistry that copies target sequences at ambient temperature without thermocycler or power. Enables single-reaction amplification with lyophilized, shelf-stable reagents for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. Protected by U.S. Patent No. 12,618,795 B2.
• Global Disease Atlas Living library of essential disease targets mapped across 25/25 WHO priority viral families, 12 hemorrhagic fevers, 14 respiratory viruses, 9 orthopoxviruses, 18 arboviruses, 22 veterinary pathogens, 11 hepatitis/chronic viral, 16 enteric/zoonotic, and 30+ oncology programs in progress.
• SeekIt Field Kit Field-configurable molecular diagnostic format with modular components including lysis tube, Seek Extraction unit, Seek Amplification pellet, and mLFA strip. Infrastructure-free, single-use consumable designed for biodefense, agricultural biosecurity, and field response.

Quantifiable outcome

• 57% survival in ASFV swine challenge study vs 0% in untreated controls, with full viral clearance in blood within 35 days and lasting protective immunity after re-challenge
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BioMaP-ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Preparedness Consortium supported by BARDA. National public-private partnership focused on strengthening U.S. ability to rapidly develop and manufacture critical medical countermeasures. Seek Labs gains access to collaborative network advancing next-generation biomanufacturing and healthcare innovation.
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Collaboration on HPAI therapeutic development as part of $2M USDA grant. CFIA's Yohannes Berhane, Head of Avian Disease Research Unit, serves as Principal Investigator alongside Seek Labs. Partnership addresses ongoing threat of avian flu disrupting poultry production and food prices through cross-border surveillance and response.
• BARDA RRPVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of BARDA's Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle, a dynamic network supporting accelerated countermeasure development. Provides access lanes to federal preparedness initiatives and procurement pathways.
• MCDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of DoD's Medical CBRN Defense Consortium, an alliance enhancing mission effectiveness of military personnel through medical countermeasure development.
• MTECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of DoD's OTA, Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium advancing rapid deployment of innovative medical technologies through Other Transaction Authority.
• DARPA ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of DARPACONNECT, a gateway to defense opportunities and breakthrough technology development through DARPA programs.
• NAVALX VulcancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of NAVALX Vulcan under Navy's Rapid Capabilities Office to accelerate delivery of innovative solutions to emerging challenges.
• CUREminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Cure, a premier healthcare innovation ecosystem helping innovators from concept to commercialization.
• Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of coordinated global research alliance enabling progressive control and eradication of ASF. Supports Seek Labs' veterinary therapeutic program for African Swine Fever.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mammoth Biosciences: Mammoth Biosciences operates a CRISPR-based platform for both molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, mirroring Seek Labs' dual-platform architecture anchored on a shared CRISPR discovery engine. Both companies target infectious disease with point-of-care diagnostics and pursue programmable CRISPR therapeutics, making the business model and competitive positioning closely aligned.
• Sherlock Biosciences: Sherlock Biosciences develops CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics and is a leading competitor in instrument-free nucleic acid detection, overlapping with Seek Labs' SeekIt platform in target customers (decentralized testing, public health, biodefense) and core technology (CRISPR + isothermal amplification). Both companies are preclinical/early-commercial stage with similar go-to-market through partnerships and pilots.
• CRISPR Therapeutics: CRISPR Therapeutics is a clinical-stage CRISPR-based therapeutics company developing in vivo gene editing medicines, directly comparable to Seek Labs' SAT/PTAP therapeutic platform in modality and target space (rare disease, infectious disease, oncology). Both pursue CRISPR-based interventions with similar regulatory pathways, though CRISPR Therapeutics has substantially greater clinical-stage maturity and capital.
• Intellia Therapeutics: Intellia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics company developing treatments for genetic disease, infectious disease, and oncology, directly overlapping with Seek Labs' Sequence Ablation Therapeutics in modality, delivery approach, and disease-area ambition. Both target conserved genomic vulnerabilities with multiplexed CRISPR guides, though Intellia has multi-billion-dollar capital base and clinical-stage assets.
• Editas Medicine: Editas Medicine is a clinical-stage CRISPR-based genome editing company with programs in oncology, infectious disease, and rare diseases, directly comparable to Seek Labs' SAT platform in core modality (CRISPR-based therapeutics) and disease-targeting strategy. Editas's clinical maturity and capital base contrast with Seek Labs' preclinical stage, but both compete for the same partnership and licensing opportunities.
• Cue Health: Cue Health developed a portable, connected molecular diagnostic platform delivering PCR-grade results at the point of care without traditional lab infrastructure, directly comparable to SeekIt's portable instrument-free format and decentralized testing use cases. Both target consumer health, public health, and biodefense customers seeking rapid molecular answers outside centralized labs.

Broad incumbents

• BioFire Diagnostics: BioFire Diagnostics (a bioMérieux company) is the molecular diagnostics incumbent whose FilmArray platform pioneered syndromic molecular testing at the point of care, directly comparable to SeekIt in target customer (clinical labs, hospitals, biodefense), technology category (sample-to-answer molecular diagnostics), and modular design philosophy. Co-founder Randy Rasmussen co-founded BioFire, providing direct pedigree linkage between the two companies.
• Cepheid: Cepheid (a Danaher company) is the leading molecular diagnostics platform with the GeneXpert system, the dominant installed-base competitor for rapid molecular infectious disease testing. Cepheid's GeneXpert is the benchmark against which SeekIt's PCR-grade-results-in-30-minutes positioning is measured, with comparable customer base (clinical labs, hospitals, global health) and regulatory positioning (FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived tests).

Emerging players

• Beam Therapeutics: Beam Therapeutics develops base-editing and prime-editing precision genetic medicines with programs in sickle cell disease, oncology, and infectious disease, overlapping with Seek Labs' SAT/PTAP platform in gene-editing modality and disease-targeting strategy. Beam represents the next-generation gene editing competitive landscape that Seek Labs' multiplexed CRISPR approach must differentiate against.

Others

• Recursion: Recursion is an AI-driven drug discovery platform using high-throughput biology and machine learning to map disease biology and identify therapeutic targets, conceptually comparable to Seek Labs' BioSeeker AI engine in combining computation with experimental biology for target identification. Recursion represents the AI-native biotech category from which Seek Labs' SVP R&D Alison O'Mahony was recruited, indicating adjacency in talent and approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/seek_labs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seeklabs
• Instagraminstagram.com/seeklabs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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 Seek Labs