Samsung Electronics has invested approximately 268.8 billion KRW (about 176 million USD) in Element Biosciences, a U.S. genetic analysis company, securing a majority stake. This strategic move positions Samsung at the forefront of the future precision medicine market.
On Wednesday, Samsung announced its participation as a strategic investor in Element’s Series E funding round, executing an additional equity investment.
Samsung had previously participated in Element’s Series D funding in July 2024. This latest investment allows Samsung to capture core technologies in the rapidly growing global precision medicine sector and significantly bolster its future growth potential.
Precision medicine is a healthcare paradigm that analyzes a patient’s genomic information, lifestyle, and environmental factors to provide tailored, effective treatments. It’s expected to predict disease onset, optimize medication prescriptions, maximize treatment efficacy, and minimize side effects, making it a key driver of future growth in healthcare.
With Samsung’s backing, Element plans to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation gene sequencing and multiomics ecosystems while expanding its product roadmap in large-scale global clinical and diagnostic fields.
Element Secures Genomic Analysis Technology with 99.99% Accuracy
Founded in San Diego in 2017, Element has developed DNA sequencing technology that achieves industry-leading accuracy of 99.99% while dramatically reducing analysis costs.
DNA sequencing reads the base sequences of DNA, the blueprint of life, to identify genetic variations and traits.
This genomic information has wide-ranging applications in precision medicine, including identifying congenital genetic traits, predicting diseases, early detection and monitoring of genetic-based diseases, and developing personalized treatments.
Samsung is particularly interested in Element’s next-generation gene sequencing technology and multiomics. Multiomics analyzes various biological information, including RNA and proteins, alongside DNA to reveal how genes actually function in the body.
If DNA sequencing reads life’s blueprint, multiomics shows how that blueprint is implemented and changes within the body.
This technology is considered crucial for next-generation precision medicine, as it can more accurately identify disease root causes and aid in new drug development.
Previously, analyzing DNA, RNA, and proteins required separate equipment, leading to high costs, time-consuming processes, and accuracy limitations.
Element has garnered attention for developing technology that can simultaneously analyze DNA, RNA, proteins, and cellular changes over time with a single device, overcoming these limitations.
AVITI Series Accelerates Global Sequencing Market Penetration
Since launching its mid-sized DNA sequencing device AVITI in 2022, Element has rapidly expanded its global market presence.
In 2024, it released AVITI 24, which analyzes genomic information and cellular changes over time. Element is also set to launch VITARI, an analysis device that increases throughput fivefold while halving costs, and AVITI Dx, designed for personalized cancer drug prescriptions in hospital labs.
Element’s sequencing devices are primarily used in biotechnology labs, research institutions, and hospitals. Their multiomics products are expected to find applications in pharmaceutical companies in the future.
Looking ahead, DNA sequencing data is likely to be combined with clinical data from hospitals and everyday life data like sleep and exercise patterns, paving the way for truly personalized healthcare services.
Samsung plans to strengthen its strategic partnership with Element through this investment, enhancing collaboration across various technologies to create synergies.
The tech giant aims to leverage its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, medical devices, and digital health technologies alongside Element’s DNA and multiomics analysis to seize new opportunities in next-generation genetic diagnostics.
Element expects to improve DNA sequencing accuracy and lower costs by utilizing Samsung’s AI and information technology (IT) technologies, creating various business synergies in precision medicine.
Molly He, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Element, stated that Samsung’s expanded investment demonstrates deep trust in the vision, technology, and team. This investment will enable us to continue introducing innovative technologies that advance scientific discovery and improve human health.
Noh Tae-moon, President of Samsung Electronics, emphasized that the synergy created by combining Samsung’s expertise in AI, medical devices, and digital health with Element’s innovative genomic analysis technology will shape the future of personalized medicine. Samsung will continue to invest across a broad range of fields, from precision medical devices to digital health, with the goal of enhancing people’s health.
This investment expansion is not expected to lead to changes in Element’s management control. As a strategic investor, Samsung’s role is to provide funding to create clear business synergies, such as technology partnerships and value chain strengthening, while establishing long-term partnerships to foster mutual growth.
