Palamedrix is a developer of DNA nanotechnology and single-molecule biosensor platforms engineered to digitize molecular detection and multi-omics analysis. Co-founded by Shane Bowen, Ashwin Gopinath (MIT / ex-Google X), and Paul Rothemund (Caltech pioneer of DNA origami), the San Diego-based deep-tech startup converges molecular self-assembly with complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication. By organizing engineered DNA biosensors directly onto microelectronic chip architectures with integrated microfluidics, Palamedrix created a modular system capable of counting individual analyte molecules across complex biofluids with single-molecule accuracy.
The company’s breakthrough unlocked high-density sensor miniaturization and decentralized readouts, resolving the historic trade-off between massive assay multiplexing and compact instrument form factors. Backed by investors including Civilization Ventures, Formic Ventures, and Casdin Capital, Palamedrix achieved an accelerated strategic exit when it was acquired by SomaLogic in July 2022 for up to $52.5 million ($35M upfront in cash and stock plus $17.5M in commercial milestone considerations). The platform serves as the foundational architectural layer for next-generation, decentralized proteomic profiling assays, bridging the gap between high-throughput centralized discovery and point-of-care clinical diagnostics.