# Epinoma **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/epinoma **Vertical:** Healthcare **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** epinoma.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Epigenetic protein engineering company developing liquid biopsy detection tools for the $50B blood test market; backed by Harvard's George Church competing in cancer early detection diagnostics. ## Company Overview Epinoma is a San Francisco-based biotech company engineering proteins that read and write epigenetic signals — developing protein tools for earlier cancer and disease detection through liquid biopsy (blood tests that detect disease-specific epigenetic marks) and therapeutic interventions that modify epigenetic states to treat disease without permanently altering DNA sequence. A Y Combinator S21 graduate backed by George Church (Harvard genetics pioneer), seedToB, and SeaX Ventures with $125,000 raised, Epinoma achieved $1 million in revenue in 2024 with an 8-person team, targeting the $50 billion blood test development market. Epinoma's protein engineering platform designs novel proteins that can read specific epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation patterns, histone modifications) and write new epigenetic states at targeted genomic locations. Epigenetic marks — chemical modifications on DNA and histones that regulate gene expression without changing DNA sequence — are increasingly recognized as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. For liquid biopsy diagnostics, specific methylation patterns in circulating tumor DNA can indicate cancer type and stage earlier than traditional biomarkers. For therapeutics, epigenetic editing can silence oncogenes or activate tumor suppressor genes. In 2025, Epinoma competes in the epigenomics tools and liquid biopsy diagnostics market with Illumina (ILMN, sequencing instruments), Grail (Galleri multi-cancer early detection test), Exact Sciences (Oncotype), and epigenetic therapeutics companies including Constellation Pharmaceuticals (acquired by MorphoSys/Novartis) for epigenetic diagnostics and tools. The liquid biopsy market is rapidly growing as multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests demonstrate clinical validity — Grail's Galleri test and similar platforms are generating significant commercial adoption. Epinoma's protein engineering approach to epigenetic tools could provide both better detection biomarkers and the therapeutic editing tools that convert diagnostic findings into treatment interventions. George Church's advisory role connects Epinoma to the Harvard synthetic biology ecosystem. The 2025 strategy focuses on commercializing the protein tools for research and diagnostic applications, building partnerships with diagnostics companies developing liquid biopsy assays, and advancing the epigenetic therapeutics platform toward clinical validation. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Epinoma? Epinoma is a San Francisco-based synthetic biology company founded in 2020 that engineers proteins to read and write epigenetic signals in the human genome. The company enables earlier disease detection and therapeutic interventions through manipulation of structural modifications that modulate all genes. ### What products and services does Epinoma offer? Epinoma offers protein engineering platforms, epigenetic analysis tools, disease detection technology, and blood test technology. The company also develops second-generation epigenetic medicines focused on biological signal manipulation. ### Who are Epinoma's target customers? Epinoma serves diagnostics companies and pharmaceutical developers as its primary customers. The company targets the $50B blood test development market, helping these customers improve product performance and develop safer, more effective therapeutic interventions. ### When was Epinoma founded and by whom? Epinoma was founded in 2020 by Varun Govil and Zhijian Li. The company was part of Y Combinator's Summer 2021 (S21) cohort. ### Where is Epinoma located? Epinoma is based in San Francisco, California. ### How much funding has Epinoma raised? Epinoma has raised $125K in total funding, including a seed round in October 2021. The seed round was led by seedToB with participation from SeaX Ventures, Y Combinator, Asymmetry Ventures, and angel investor George Church. ### What are Epinoma's key achievements and metrics? Epinoma achieved $1M in revenue in 2024 with a 5-person team. The company currently operates with 8 employees and targets the $50B blood test development market. ### What technology and approach does Epinoma use? Epinoma uses synthetic biology to engineer proteins that can read and write epigenetic signals, which are structural modifications that modulate genes in the human genome. This epigenetics platform enables both disease detection and therapeutic development through biological signal manipulation. ### Who are Epinoma's notable investors? Epinoma is backed by seedToB, SeaX Ventures, Y Combinator, Asymmetry Ventures, and renowned geneticist George Church as an angel investor. The company was part of Y Combinator's Summer 2021 cohort. ### What market opportunity is Epinoma addressing? Epinoma is targeting the $50B blood test development market as its first customer segment. The company helps diagnostics and pharmaceutical companies improve their product performance in disease detection and therapeutic development. ## Tags healthtech, north-america, b2b --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*