The company’s platform uses data science, genomics, synthetic biology, and automation to mine microbial genomes for therapeutics to combat human diseases that have evaded traditional approaches

Using bioinformatics and machine learning, scientists probe the depths of fungal genomes to find new compounds for undruggable cancers and infections.

In this episode, Hillenmeyer explains how Hexagon is using genomic sequencing and artificial intelligence to analyze the millions of types of fungi on earth and uncover new drugs and cures for a host of diseases.

We all want to be the fungi. Hexagon Bio wants to be the fungi by using those organisms to create new treatments for cancer and infectious diseases, and investors are joining the party with $61 million.

On September 15th, Hexagon Bio announced that it raised a $47 million Series A round that will help it genetically sequence fungi and find new breakthrough medications. The next penicillin, the company wagers, is already out there waiting to be discovered.

Early Tuesday morning, Hexagon Bio announced the closing of their Series A financing, pulling in $47 million from a group of investors led by The Column Group. The round, which also saw participation from 8VC and Two Sigma Ventures, will go toward creating a proprietary genomics database as well as building out a drug discovery team to develop the new compounds. Hexagon brought on Tod Smeal as its new CSO after he served in the same position at Lilly Research Labs.

Scientists are mining the DNA-sequence data from mushrooms and mold to find new drugs.

Technique produces compounds made naturally by tough-to-culture fungi or poorly expressed genes.

Researchers have developed a technology, known as ‘HEx’, that can detect natural products from fungal species – products which are usually extremely difficult to identify. This approach could be used to find natural compounds with therapeutic potential, paving the way to novel antimicrobial drugs.

Hexagon Bio leverages expertise in genomics, synthetic biology, chemistry, and computation to identify small molecules produced by fungi. These molecules, which are of intense interest to drug developers, might otherwise remain hidden.