Celebrating a Decade at the Forefront of Molecular Detection: Biomeme’s 10th Anniversary

Written By: Biomeme Staff

Step Back into 2012: 

  • The space shuttle had its final flight (Endeavor) and the Curiosity rover landed on Mars. 
  • Apple introduced the iPhone 5. 
  • The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar reached the date 13.0.0.0.0 on December 21st, 2012, leading some to believe this would be the end of the world. 

In the summer of 2012, our three co-founders, Max Perelman, Jesse VanWestrienen, and Marc DeJohn started a journey together in Jesse’s grandma’s basement in New Mexico. Together they set about developing a DNA/RNA analysis tool to empower anyone, anywhere with the capabilities of a molecular lab, in the palm of their hand. 

Cut to summer 2022, Biomeme has grown into one of the nation’s leading biotechnology companies with hundreds of invaluable team members headquartered in our new award-winning 50,000 square feet R&D and manufacturing facility in downtown Philadelphia. A lot can change in 10 years! 

 

Looking Back on the Past 

Over the last decade, Biomeme has evolved from a small team developing the first smartphone-based real-time qPCR device into a vertically integrated powerhouse that includes cutting edge test and instrument R&D, hardware & consumables manufacturing, molecular assay lyophilization, and even diagnostic testing services through our wholly owned CLIA high complexity nationwide lab network, One Health Labs. For 10 years, the mission of Biomeme has been to make precise, sensitive PCR and molecular testing solutions accessible to those who need them, wherever they may be.  

Along the way, we have cleared numerous hurdles and developed lasting relationships that have gotten us to where we are today.  

Biomeme was developing PCR-based solutions long before the COVID-19 pandemic and the foundation we laid in those early years (simple field-ready sample prep, shelf-stable tests, mobile PCR instruments, cloud software, and a web API) enabled us to quickly step up and launch one of the country’s first FDA EUA SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing solutions. And as we all suffered the effects of a crumbling global supply chain, unable to find critical testing supplies, Biomeme was fortunate to be able to manufacture our own PCR instruments and testing kits locally on Philadelphia.  

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, our company quadrupled in size. Many staff worked long, hard hours to meet the demands of a global public health crisis. While some could work from home, many of the team simply could not. Our team had to take on considerable risk during a global pandemic of a novel virus to make sure our products made it into the hands of those at the frontlines. This dedication from our team allowed for countless lives to be saved and outbreaks to be stopped in their tracks.

 

MicrosoftTeams-image (12)-1

 

The Next Evolution of Biomeme and the Future of Diagnostics  

Biomeme’s vision is to empower anyone, anywhere with the knowledge to realize One Health. We recognize the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, and endeavor to develop solutions which address our world’s most complex challenges…whether they be pandemic prevention & response, antimicrobial resistance, biological warfare, or some new challenge as yet unknown. 

We strive to meet the demands of a continuously changing world with a new understanding of the importance of cutting-edge decentralized diagnostics, real-time disease surveillance, and our role in preventing the next pandemic. 

Over the years, our team has developed a diverse portfolio of PCR and isothermal testing solutions for a wide range of use cases, including everything from biowarfare agent detection panels to food safety, water quality, industrial quality control, vector surveillance, environmental DNA, animal health, and human diagnostics with our FDA EUA SARS-CoV-2 tests. We continue to grow and evolve to explore Host Response applications of our technology. Over the years, our team has developed a diverse portfolio of PCR and isothermal testing solutions for a wide range of use cases, including everything from biowarfare agent detection panels to food safety, water quality, industrial quality control, vector surveillance, environmental DNA, animal health, and most recently human diagnostics (including our SARS-CoV-2 testing solutions. We continue to grow and evolve, and our recent acquisition of Predigen adds new capabilities in Host Response based diagnostic applications of our technology.  

Cheers to Many More Years of Innovation! 

Get the latest tips from Biomeme shipped right to your inbox

Our Progress

How We’ve Risen to Meet Global Health Challenges

When people think about global health, they tend to think about far-flung locales and communities of people different from their own. But the biggest challenges to global health like pandemic...

Our Progress

Meet the New Biomeme: Where Global Health Solutions Are Discovered

A lot can change in a decade. We started 10 years ago as a venture among friends and family, each of whom was deeply and personally committed to impacting global health, each in their own way. Since...

Our Progress

Biomeme, Inc. Receives 2023 PACT Enterprise Award for Life Sciences & Healthcare Emerging

As a company, we measure our progress in the diagnostics we develop and deliver and the impact we have on global health. But awards are nice, too. So we were humbled and honored to receive the PACT...