Toronto-based biotechnology company Acorn Biolabs has announced the close of $3.3 million in seed funding from Real Ventures, Globalive Technology, Pool Global Partners, Epic Capital Management, and other unnamed partners.
Acorn hopes for the commercial availability of its home collection and cryopreservation service in Q2 2019.
Acorn says its at-home collection kit, which has yet to launch, will allow consumers to collect their own cells by plucking hair follicles for preservation and future use. The intention is to provide the opportunity for full genome banking, giving consumers potential access to medical insights and therapies that can leverage their own cells.
“In our later years, when we need our cells for regenerative therapies, our cells are the least viable,” said Dr. Drew Taylor, co-founder and CEO at Acorn Biolabs. “Rapid advancements in the therapeutic use of cells, including the ability to grow human tissue sections, cartilage, artificial skin and stem cells, are already being delivered. Entire heart, liver, and kidneys are really just around the corner. The urgency around collecting, preserving and banking youthful cells for future use is real and freezing the clock on your cells will ensure you can leverage them later when you need them.”
In addition to the new round of funding, Acorn also announced new team members as the company ramps towards market availability. Jacquie Chapman joins Acorn as Chief Operating Officer, bringing experience from management consulting, marketing and health companies including The Boston Consulting Group, LoyaltyOne and Precision Nutrition; and Sonya Verheyden joins as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing a background across consumer and enterprise technology, telecommunications and mobile through global marketing roles including Rogers Communications, BlackBerry, and Motorola.
The company is currently planning for commercial availability of its consumer home collection and cryopreservation service in Q2 2019.