Genebox

Beijing Lasso Biotechnology Co., Ltd., operating as Genebox, is a life sciences company focused on digital health management and genetic testing. Founded in 2018 by CEO Li Zhi, the company initially entered the market with a direct-to-consumer genetic testing service. Recognizing the high costs and foreign dependency associated with genetic testing components, Li Zhi pivoted the company's strategy towards vertical integration. This led to the in-house development of a high-density microarray gene chip platform, a significant achievement that marked the first domestically produced alternative to foreign-dominated technology in this sector.

The company's business model is twofold. For consumers, it offers the "Genebox" (基因宝) product, an accessible genetic testing service. This service utilizes a saliva collection kit and a mobile app to deliver personalized reports and recommendations on aspects like health risks, nutrition, exercise, and ancestry. A key market strategy is a low-cost entry point for a basic report, with users able to purchase additional, more detailed analyses, a model designed to attract a wide user base and encourage ongoing engagement.

The second pillar of its business is providing its proprietary gene chip platform as an integrated solution for various industries. This includes customized microarray chips, sequencers, reagents, and software, catering to fields such as agricultural molecular breeding, pet genetic testing, and scientific research. By manufacturing its own chips, Lasso Biotech significantly reduces costs, enabling competitive pricing for both its consumer products and B2B solutions. The company operates a 1,200-square-meter medical testing lab in Guangzhou and a 2,000-square-meter GMP-certified R&D and production facility for biochips in Suzhou.

Lasso Biotech has secured significant funding to fuel its growth. It raised a 36 million RMB Angel round in 2018 from Dashenlin Pharmaceutical, followed by a Series A of nearly 100 million RMB in 2019 and a Series A+ of tens of millions of RMB in 2020, with both later rounds led by Centurium Capital.

Keywords: genetic testing, gene chip, microarray, biotechnology, direct-to-consumer genetics, health management, Beijing Lasso Biotechnology, Genebox, Li Zhi, DNA analysis, molecular breeding, biochip manufacturing, life sciences, digital health, Centurium Capital, consumer genetics, personalized health, ancestry testing, pet genetics, agricultural technology