I talked with Molly He and Michael Previte, founders at Element Biosciences, the day after Illumina announced it was suing Element for patent infringement. Definitely was top of mind for them, but not of course something they could opine on directly. Nevertheless provided very interesting context for the conversation, and proof in my opinion of their disruptive impact on the life science industry. They certainly didn't seem to be the least bit intimidated 🤔
A great weekend listen!
Some key points:
- Their goal was not just to challenge incumbents (e.g., Illumina) but to fundamentally expand what sequencing and associated instruments can do. Mike characterized Aviti as akin to Monty Python's "Trojan Rabbit": a known entry point with NGS, then expanding usage into broader biological insights.
- Element's global revenue mix (over half from outside the US) and substantial industry client base insulate them from NIH budget cuts and US market shocks.
- Operations: Developed a resilient supply chain (mostly US-based suppliers; multiple vendors for critical parts) to shield company from tariff and supply chain risks.
- Emphasize that biology is highly context-dependent—just sequencing the genome is like reading a dictionary without understanding the story. Element focuses on enabling multi-omic analysis (DNA, RNA, spatial, etc.) from the same sample, aiming for richer, more actionable insights.
- Insist that successful future models (e.g., AI/ML for drug discovery) require diverse, unique, and integrated data—not just more of the same data.
- Express concern about declining NIH and public research funding, warning of long-term risks to innovation and US leadership. Affirm that cuts cause near-term paralysis (“deer in the headlights” effect for researchers) and pose incalculable long-term harm.
- Suggest that new computational and AI capabilities are finally enabling the shift from sequence-obsessed biology to holistic understanding. Reiterated need for “digital twins” of cells—capturing all relevant modalities, not just DNA sequence.
- Despite litigation, funding uncertainty, and market upheaval, Element leadership remains optimistic and driven by curiosity. They champion “smart science”: maximizing impact per resource, maintaining transparency and trust with users, and powering discovery through accessible, integrated tools.
