Introducing... Alpenglow Biosciences

Welcome to the first official edition of #TheStartupSequence and thank you for reading! Join me here on a bi-weekly basis, as I discover and discuss the Startup organisations creating the future of Genomics, Proteomics and Spatial Biology.

In this issue, I’m introducing Alpenglow Biosciences , a Seattle based biotech startup revolutionizing the field of pathology.

The company was spun out of Washington University by Dr Nicholas Reder , Dr Jonathan Liu , Dr Adam Glaser and Dr Larry True in 2018. Employing their cloud-connected microscope, they can generate three-dimensional representations of tissue samples and leverage advanced AI algorithms for comprehensive analysis. Originally founded as ‘Lightspeed Microscopy’ their innovative technology has a wide range of potential applications, it particularly stands out in fields like drug development and clinical trials.

So where does Alpenglow come from? The name Alpenglow Biosciences is inspired by the ?????????????????? ????????????, which is a spectacular optical occurrence where alpine landscapes display vivid colours during sunrise and sunset. The name was chosen as an analogy to how the company brings fresh perspectives to the realms of drug development and clinical diagnostics.

They have doubled their headcount in the last two years, following an injection of funding in 2021. Backed by partners such as Alexandria, WRF Capital, Dynamk Capital and recently partnered with the mighty Mayo Clinic , Alpenglow are on the path to success.

I spoke with Alex Springer , Alpenglow’s VP of Strategy Operations, to further understand what trials and tribulations have shaped the business so far.

“Our main struggles have been out of our control, commercializing during a pandemic and then dealing with a market crash in 2022. We’ve overcome these by ensuring everything within our control is watertight, keeping the organisation lean and punching above our weight class as much as possible.”

The organisation is still small, with a headcount of 22 having built up a strong team over the last 5 years.

So, what advice would you give to anyone setting up in the life science space?

“Get your solution in the hands of your customers for validation, move fast, generate feedback, and listen to their needs. This will likely generate revenue too!”

Join me here on a bi-weekly basis, as I discover and discuss the Startup organisations creating the future of #Genomics, #Proteomics and #SpatialBiology. A special thanks to the Alpenglow Biosciences team for their participation and for sharing their experience.

#lifesciences #biotechstartup #genomics #omics