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Stellaromics Raises $80M to Revolutionize 3D Spatial Biology with Pyxa

Stellaromics Raises Significant Funds to Enhance 3D Spatial Biology

In an exciting development for the scientific community, Stellaromics, a cutting-edge company derived from the research labs of renowned professors Karl Deisseroth at Stanford University and Xiao Wang at MIT, has successfully secured $80 million in its Series B funding round. This initiative, primarily led by Catalyst4 and supported by Stanford University Ventures, aims to bolster the company's mission to refine and commercialize its novel platform, Pyxa, dedicated to 3D spatial biology research.

The Pyxa Platform: A New Era in Biological Research

Launched to the public today, the Pyxa platform offers innovative capabilities for visualizing and analyzing the spatial arrangements of cells and molecules within thick tissue samples, achieving levels of resolution previously considered unattainable. Building on the foundational technologies of STARmap and RIBOmap, Pyxa signifies a substantial leap forward, progressing beyond conventional 2D approaches into a comprehensive 3D perspective. This advancement is set to transform how researchers explore tissue organization, cellular interactions, and fundamental disease processes.

Todd Dickinson, CEO of Stellaromics, expressed his enthusiasm: "We are excited to introduce Pyxa, a pioneering technology that redefines spatial biology boundaries. By showcasing a true three-dimensional multi-omic representation of biological systems, we empower researchers to unveil groundbreaking discoveries that deepen our comprehension of human biology while facilitating the development of innovative diagnostics and therapeutics."

Among the key features of Pyxa are its ability to analyze thick tissue samples of 100μm or more, which is an improvement of 10–20 times over existing methods. This platform allows for sub-cellular resolution and multi-omic spatial profiling, enabling the simultaneous examination of the spatial distribution of numerous genes. Furthermore, the system streamlines workflows with automated processes for sample preparation, data acquisition, and analysis, thus easing the burden on researchers. To aid understanding, Pyxa includes advanced visualization software that provides intuitive tools for 3D exploration of genetic data, offering unique insights into biological systems.

Transformative Impact Across Disciplines

Stellaromics is already witnessing the transformative potential of the Pyxa platform in various fields including neuroscience, oncology, and immunology. These disciplines require an in-depth understanding of tissue architecture to decode critical insights about disease mechanisms.

Early users of Pyxa have lauded its capabilities:

- Nigel Jamieson, Group Leader at the University of Glasgow, stated, "The potential of Stellaromics' 3D spatial transcriptomics platform to revolutionize cancer research is remarkable. Its ability to analyze thick tissue sections in 3D provides unparalleled insights into tumor heterogeneity and the tumor microenvironment, crucial for developing comprehensive disease atlases that lead to improved patient care."
- Gordon Wang, Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University, added, "As an early adopter of the Pyxa platform, I've been impressed by its comprehensive perspective on biological systems because tissue analysis is inherently three-dimensional. We look forward to further collaboration with Stellaromics to advance scientific research."
- Xin Jin, Associate Professor at Scripps Research remarked, "This shift from 2D to 3D spatial omics is revolutionary for neuroscience, allowing us to visualize crucial long-range cellular interactions and facilitating high-throughput analysis of genetic disturbances across complex tissues."

The Pyxa system is now available for orders, with an early access program already fully subscribed, set to commence in the latter half of 2025. Initial commercial distributions are expected to begin towards the end of 2025. To assist researchers in generating pilot data, Stellaromics has put in place a dedicated services program. Moreover, the company plans to showcase Pyxa technology at the AGBT 2025 conference, scheduled in Marco Island, Florida from February 23rd to 26th.

About Stellaromics

Stellaromics prides itself as a privately-held organization focused on trailblazing advancements in 3D spatial multi-omics. With a mission aimed at equipping researchers with state-of-the-art methodologies, the company seeks to unveil the complexities of biological systems and foster groundbreaking discoveries that benefit human health. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Stellaromics continues to lead the charge in 3D spatial biology research, pushing the frontiers of scientific inquiry and understanding.