Decoding the human genome through the invention of DNA sequencing, and the subsequent push to make it accessible, ushered in an era of biomedical sciences. However, DNA sequencing is not sufficient to fully understand the human body. To do so requires the decoding of human proteins, the engines responsible for 99.99% of function in biology.

In the early 2000s, the large-scale study of genes, a field known as genomics, faced an unprecedented advancement when the complete human genetic blueprint was mapped. This presented a historic milestone as sequencing the human genome unlocked the ability to identify DNA-related disease drivers. However, it has long been understood that studying genetics alone captures only part of the molecular processes of life. Rather, it is proteins that are responsible for driving the vast majority of work in living cells, and subsequently, human functions. Today’s analytical approaches for studying proteins, like mass spectrometry and immunoassays, have failed to achieve the same milestones as their genomic counterparts, and there remains a significant gap in the ability to identify proteins critical to disease formation.

That’s why we are excited to back Glyphic Biotechnologies, a novel protein sequencing platform that is revolutionizing the way de novo proteins and protein modifications are discovered and understood. Glyphic's technology combines nanopore technology and AI signal processing to extend the existing proteomic capability set, allowing reads of proteins at the amino acid level - for all 20 amino acids – for the first time ever. 

Glyphic’s proteomics platform is taking sequencing to the next frontier, paving uncharted territories as humanity looks to unearth new proteins, increase disease pathology identification, and expand drug discovery. With Glyphic’s platform, novel applications in human health, industrial biotechnology, and biopharma will be unlocked. 

Our belief is that this stepwise change in proteomics and protein sequencing will catalyze a new age of drug discovery and treatment powered by proteins. As a result, our knowledge of biology will be reshaped along the way.

Glyphic team is spearheaded by a true 0 to 1 biotechnology entrepreneur, Josh Yang. Despite his young age, Josh has already gone on to found Nephorasant, a startup focused on kidney disease detection, where Josh secured Medicare reimbursement for the company’s diagnostic test. For his work in developing non-invasive tools to measure kidney injuries, Josh was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 – Healthcare.

At Harpoon, we are proud to support the next-generation of technologies that have dual-use application in protecting national security, democracy, and American technological leadership. The recent COVID-19 pandemic underscored our nation’s continued need for solutions to address biological toxins immediately and effectively. President Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation, issued in September 2022 as a response to the pandemic, highlighted biosafety and biosecurity as critical components to advancing our bioeconomy. Glyphic’s early partnerships with government entities in the field of biodefense (biological toxin detection, pandemic response, infections disease therapeutics, etc.), will help to fundamentally address and enhance our national security interests.