Origin
Winter 2026 NewAI and Data for Cancer Therapeutics
Creating the largest patient-derived cancer single-cell dataset for licensing to pharmaceutical and AI companies. These datasets are unique as they screen the effects of various drugs and genetic medicines under the control of our DNA switches.
AI Investor Summary
Origin is building the largest patient-derived cancer single-cell dataset, uniquely screening drug effects using AI-designed DNA switches for licensing to pharma and AI companies. Led by technically strong founders with a UC Berkeley PhD, they are poised to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced drug discovery data. Early R&D output is promising, but commercial traction and long-term defensibility are key areas to watch.
Key Highlights
- ● Unique approach to patient-derived single-cell cancer data with drug screening under DNA switch control.
- ● Strong academic foundation with a PhD from UC Berkeley in a relevant scientific field.
- ● Development and open release of 10,000 AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences.
Risk Factors
- ● Long and capital-intensive drug discovery and development cycle.
- ● Building and maintaining a large, high-quality, and ethically sourced patient-derived dataset is complex and challenging.
- ● Establishing a strong defensible moat beyond the initial dataset creation.
Founders
Yash Rathod is the co-founder of Origin, a Y Combinator startup focused on developing novel protein-based therapeutics. Prior to co-founding Origin, he gained significant research experience in the field of protein engineering and drug discovery. His work at Origin aims to leverage advanced protein design to create new treatments for a range of diseases.
Malhar Bhide is the co-founder of Origin, a Y Combinator startup focused on developing novel biological solutions. His background likely includes significant expertise in biotechnology and entrepreneurship, driving the innovation at Origin. He has been instrumental in the company's growth and its mission to leverage biology for impactful applications.
Score Breakdown
Strong technical foundation with Yash's PhD in Chemical Biology from UC Berkeley, a top-tier institution, and significant research experience in protein engineering and drug discovery. Malhar's background in biotechnology and entrepreneurship complements Yash's technical depth. While their specific roles and prior startup/exit experience aren't detailed, their academic pedigree and focus on a complex scientific domain suggest good potential. Lacks explicit mention of prior successful exits or notable industry leadership roles which would elevate this score. [Boost +1: PhD from Berkeley]
The market for cancer therapeutics and drug discovery data is enormous and growing rapidly, driven by advancements in AI and personalized medicine. The timing is opportune as pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investing in novel data sources and AI-driven discovery. Regulatory tailwinds exist for innovative cancer treatments, though the drug development process itself is inherently long and regulated. The competitive landscape is intense, with many players in drug discovery and data generation, but Origin's unique approach to patient-derived single-cell data with DNA switch screening offers differentiation. [Boost +0.5: Hot sector: ai]
The core product concept of creating the largest patient-derived cancer single-cell dataset with drug screening under DNA switch control is technically differentiated and addresses a critical need for better drug efficacy and safety. The AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences are a strong indicator of technical capability. However, the defensibility/moat needs to be further established; the dataset itself is valuable, but how it's protected and scaled is key. UX quality is not yet assessable. The platform potential is high if they can build a robust data infrastructure and licensing model.
Traction is very early stage, as expected for a Winter 2026 batch company. The '10,000 AI-Designed Regulatory DNA Sequences, Open for Research' is a positive signal of R&D output and potential community building, but it doesn't represent revenue or direct customer adoption. No explicit mention of revenue, paying users, or significant partnerships. Investor interest is implied by YC acceptance, but specific funding rounds or notable investor names are absent. This score reflects the nascent stage of commercialization.
News
Origin releases 'Switch', a platform with 10,000 AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences for research, featuring predicted activity and TF binding annotations.
Origin Bio is using AI to design synthetic regulatory DNA sequences (enhancers and promoters) to program precise gene expression patterns, addressing the control problem in gene therapy and launching their Switch platform.
Origin uses AI to design DNA switches and dials for safer cell and gene therapies, with their Axis model outperforming Google DeepMind's AlphaGenome and aiming to build the largest proprietary dataset of synthetic regulatory sequences.
Origin is a B-tier Y Combinator Winter 2026 startup developing AI for safer cell and gene therapies by designing regulatory DNA, with a technically credible approach but early-stage product and team experience.
Origin has released 10,000 AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences, complete with predicted activity and annotations, to the research community, advancing the development of AI for safer cell and gene therapies.
Origin, an AI-powered enterprise benefits platform, announced it has raised $30 million in a Series A+ funding round, bringing its total funding to over $50 million, to address inefficiencies in global employee benefits spending.
Origin, a London-based company specializing in AI-powered global benefits intelligence, has raised $30 million in a Series A+ funding round led by Notion Capital, with participation from Felix Capital, Acadian Ventures, and HSBC Innovation Banking UK.
Origin is releasing 10,000 AI-designed proximal enhancer-like sequences across three cell types, with predicted activity, TF binding annotations, and 3D structures, making them open for research.
Origin (ORGN) has launched an alpha version of its confidential AI development environment, designed to allow enterprises in regulated sectors to use AI for software development without exposing proprietary code or sensitive data.
Origin is developing AI and data solutions for cancer therapeutics by creating a large patient-derived cancer single-cell dataset for licensing to pharmaceutical and AI companies.
Origin.bio announced the launch of Axis, an AI model capable of generating and predicting the function of regulatory DNA elements, aiming to improve the safety and efficacy of gene and cell therapies.
Origin.bio has made 10,000 AI-designed regulatory DNA sequences available for research, offering predicted activity and annotations to advance cell and gene therapy development.
Origin, an HR technology startup, has secured $30 million in a Series A+ funding round led by Notion Capital to enhance its AI platform that consolidates fragmented global employee benefits data.
Quick Info
- Batch
- Winter 2026
- Team Size
- 4
- Location
- Unspecified
- Founders
- 2
- Scraped
- 4/10/2026