DName-iT

What DName-iT does

DName-iT is a MedTech company that has developed a proprietary DNA-based molecular barcoding technology, DNames™, designed to provide end-to-end quality assurance for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows. Each biological sample (blood, saliva, or extracted DNA) is tagged at collection with a unique single-use molecular barcode generated via a patented 2-step PCR indexing method; the barcode persists with the sample through DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and analysis. Companion DName™ Software separates barcode reads from patient reads, compares them against an expected barcode database, and automatically flags sample switches and cross-contamination events. The platform addresses a documented industry problem: approximately 2% of NGS specimens are affected by multi-stage handling errors, and pre-analytical errors account for 60-70% of all laboratory errors.

The company is a late-2014 spin-out from KU Leuven University founded by Prof Harry Cuppens, and is a portfolio company of EMV Capital / NetScientific Plc. Commercial focus begins with Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) laboratories and is planned to expand into Cancer Therapy Selection, with adjacent opportunities in blood collection tube manufacturers and healthcare systems/payers. DName-iT achieved UK and EU Class 1 medical device registration in September 2024 and received EU and US patent grant notices in December 2024 and January 2025. Revenue mechanics rely on consumable barcode product sales (blood collection devices, microtubes, microtiter plates) with companion subscription software, supplemented by accessory oligonucleotides and potential patent licensing of the 2-step PCR method. The company is in early commercial stage with European industry pilots underway and planned US expansion.

Name

DName-iT

Legal name

DName-iT Holdings Limited

Website

https://dnameit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DName-iT is a MedTech company that sells a proprietary DNA-based molecular barcoding platform (DNames™) and companion software to NGS laboratories, enabling automated detection of sample switches and cross-contamination across the full sequencing workflow.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

NGS Quality Assurance Software

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/NAAT/NGS-based IVD) (HLAHAAAD), Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Molecular Diagnostics & Genomics Laboratories (HLAFAMAE)

Keywords

• NGS quality assurance
• DNA barcode labeling
• Specimen authentication
• Molecular barcoding
• Genetic testing controls

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. DName™ Barcode Products: Sale of proprietary DNA barcode products (DNames™) in various formats including blood collection devices, microtubes, and microtiter plates (96 well format). Available in three different concentrations depending on contamination detection requirements. Consumable product model with recurring revenue potential as laboratories require ongoing supply.
2. DName™ Software Platform: Companion software for barcode data analysis and verification reporting. Software processes NGS results to authenticate samples and detect contamination. Platform includes DName™ Database for barcode comparison.
3. Accessory Oligonucleotides: Accessory consumables for use with DName™ barcodes, sold as part of the product ecosystem for NGS quality assurance workflows.
4. Patent Licensing: Potential licensing revenue from the underlying 2-step PCR patent already used in economical pooling of samples in NGS. The company may pursue out-licensing of core technology patents.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DName-iT is a MedTech company that has developed a proprietary DNA-based barcode labeling technology called DNames™ and a companion software platform for tracking patient specimens through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflows. Unique molecular barcodes are embedded directly into biological samples (blood, saliva, or extracted DNA) at the point of collection and persist through DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and analysis. The companion software compares obtained barcodes against expected barcodes in a database to automatically detect sample switching, cross-contamination, and other pre-analytical errors.

Product overview

DName-iT offers a unified molecular barcoding platform for NGS quality assurance, consisting of four integrated components: DName™ Barcodes (the core proprietary molecular barcoding technology), Accessory Oligos (for targeted enrichment), the DName™ Database (for expected barcode storage), and DName™ Software (for bioinformatics analysis and reporting). Together these components provide an end-to-end molecular identity layer that persists with patient samples throughout the NGS workflow, enabling automated detection of sample switching and cross-contamination. The platform is designed for laboratories, blood collection tube manufacturers, and healthcare systems seeking quality assurance for genetic testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DName™ Barcodes Proprietary molecular DNA barcode labels (DNames™) added to biological samples (blood, saliva, or extracted DNA) to enable continuous traceability through the entire NGS workflow. Available in formats including blood collection devices, microtubes, and microtiter plates (96-well format), and in three different concentrations depending on contamination detection requirements. Sold as consumables with recurring-revenue potential for genetic testing laboratories.
• Accessory Oligos Specialized accessory oligonucleotides directed toward DNames™ that are added during the enrichment process in NGS workflows. They enable simultaneous enrichment and subsequent detection of DName™ barcodes alongside target genomic regions, sold as consumables for laboratories using the DName™ platform.
• DName™ Software Companion bioinformatics software for NGS workflows that separates DName™ barcode sequence reads from patient sequence reads, compares obtained barcodes against the DName™ Database of expected barcodes, automatically flags sample mismatches, identifies contamination barcodes and contamination levels, and generates verification reports for quality assurance and workflow improvement. Offered alongside DName™ Barcodes as part of the NGS specimen authentication platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 2% of specimens are currently affected by multi-stage handling errors in NGS workflows
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Laboratory Equipment VendorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 June 2023DName-iT is building go-to-market partnerships with laboratory equipment vendors to extend reach into target laboratories. These partnerships are intended to drive adoption of the verification platform through established vendor distribution channels and customer relationships.
• KU LeuvencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014DName-iT is a spin-out company from KU Leuven University (established late 2014). The company exploits IP and know-how generated by founder Prof Harry Cuppens. The Gemma Frisius Fund is a joint venture involving KU Leuven, providing ongoing connection. Paul van Dun, General Manager of KU Leuven R&D, expressed support for the collaboration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT, a Danaher company): Major supplier of oligonucleotides and NGS reagents, including custom DNA barcodes and adapters used in NGS library prep. Comparable as an established oligo and NGS consumables vendor serving the same customer workflows.
• QIAGEN: Global provider of sample preparation and molecular diagnostics solutions, including NGS library prep kits and QC reagents. Comparable as an incumbent supplier of consumables into the same molecular diagnostics and NGS lab value chain.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Established life-science tools and clinical diagnostics company with molecular biology reagents, qPCR/digital PCR systems, and QC products serving the same molecular diagnostics and NGS lab customer base as DName-iT.
• Bio-Techne: Diversified life-science tools provider with a molecular diagnostics reagents portfolio (including Asuragen for diagnostic QC). Comparable as a supplier of consumables and QC reagents used in molecular diagnostic and NGS workflows, though far broader in scope than DName-iT.

Direct peers

• Streck: Specialist in molecular diagnostic and clinical lab QC products, including blood collection tubes and stabilization/QC consumables used in clinical and NGS workflows. Closely comparable as a niche QC consumables vendor in regulated diagnostics.
• Twist Bioscience: Synthetic DNA and NGS sample-preparation provider supplying custom oligos, target enrichment, and molecular reagents to NGS labs. Directly comparable as a supplier of molecular biology consumables used in NGS workflows.
• LGC Clinical Diagnostics: Provider of molecular diagnostic reference materials and QC products (formerly SeraCare). Directly comparable as a supplier of QC and identity tools used by clinical genomics and NGS laboratories.
• Revvity (Horizon Discovery): Through its Horizon Discovery business, Revvity supplies genomic reference standards and molecular diagnostic QC tools used in NGS and clinical lab workflows. Directly comparable as a QC consumables supplier to NGS laboratories.

Emerging players

• Natera: NIPT and oncology NGS testing services operator with proprietary sample identity and QC methods embedded in its lab workflows. Comparable as a NIPT and oncology NGS player that is also a potential DName-iT customer or partner for QC integration.

Others

• Hamilton Company: Laboratory automation and NGS sample-prep workstation vendor serving the same clinical and NGS lab customer base. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant whose installed base could be a channel for DName-iT's barcode consumables.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DName_iT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dname-it-nv

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 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 DName-iT