California’s Cradle Genomics Closes $17.1M Series A Round to Fund Cell-free Fetal DNA Testing

Cradle Genomics, a prenatal testing company in San Diego that has research and development operations in Detroit, has closed a Series A funding round of $17.1 million. The funding will be used to support clinical development, corporate infrastructure, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments lab operations, and the launch of the company’s product offerings for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).
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Cradle Genomics closed a Series A funding round of $17.1 million. The company specializes in noninvasive prenatal testing. // Stock photo

Cradle Genomics, a prenatal testing company in San Diego and has research and development operations in Detroit, has closed a Series A funding round of $17.1 million. The funding will be used to support clinical development, corporate infrastructure, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments lab operations, and the launch of the company’s product offerings for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT).

“Our mission at Cradle Genomics is to deliver genetic knowledge for life with a vision of better outcomes for every pregnancy,” says Tristan Orpin, CEO of Cradle Genomics. “We’re dedicated to the transformation of NIPT by offering the most comprehensive fetal genetic analysis and pregnancy health screening solutions at the earliest stages of pregnancy.”

NIPT offerings currently available rely on the measurement of trace amounts of circulating cell-free fetal DNA in maternal serum. The low fraction of fetal DNA in maternal blood limits the scope of fetal genetic analysis and the pregnancy stage when testing can be offered.

Cradle Genomics’ assay increases the purity of fetal DNA, making testing as early as week five of a pregnancy possible while delivering the most comprehensive content among all NIPT providers for increased clinical utility.

Illumina Ventures and Section 32 led the investment round with participation from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Sea Lane Ventures, Listwin Ventures, and Axon Ventures.

Cell-free DNA testing is fast growing and used in a number of health care settings. Cradle Genomics aims to make transformational advancements in NIPT by leveraging its intellectual property and assay expertise in combination with their market experience in reproductive health.