# Asimov

> Asimov is a Boston-based synthetic biology company building computer-aided design (CAD) tools for engineering living cells. Founded in 2017 by bioengineers from MIT and Boston University, it combines mammalian synthetic biology, software, and machine learning through its Kernel platform and 'Edge' production systems to help drug makers design and manufacture cell, gene, and RNA therapies more reliably. The company has raised over $200M, including a $175M Series B in January 2023 led by CPP Investments.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Alec Nielsen (Co-founder & CEO), Christopher Voigt (Co-founder (MIT)), Douglas Densmore (Co-founder (Boston University)), Raja Srinivas (Co-founder)
- **Team size:** ~70-80 employees
- **Products:** Kernel, CHO Edge System, LV Edge System, AAV Edge System, RNA Edge System
- **Notable:** Released Cello (2016), an open platform for automated genetic circuit design, with collaborators at NIST., Raised over $200M total, including a $175M Series B in January 2023., Built Kernel with 600,000+ searchable DNA sequences and 1,000+ validated genetic parts.

## Products & services

- **Kernel** — Cloud-based computer-aided design (CAD) platform for biology that lets scientists design, simulate, debug, and store genetic systems. Comes pre-loaded with 600,000+ searchable sequences and includes a Genetic Compiler that guides vector layout and coding-sequence optimization.
- **CHO Edge System** — Integrated design-and-manufacturing system for mammalian (CHO cell) protein and biologics expression.
- **LV Edge System** — System for lentiviral vector production used in cell and gene therapy workflows.
- **AAV Edge System** — System for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector production for gene therapy.
- **RNA Edge System** — System for RNA-based therapeutic design and production.
- **Genetic parts library** — More than 1,000 experimentally validated genetic parts - transposase integration, expression vectors, inducible systems, tissue-specific promoters - to control cell biology.

## Achievements

- Released Cello (2016), an open platform for automated genetic circuit design, with collaborators at NIST.
- Raised over $200M total, including a $175M Series B in January 2023.
- Built Kernel with 600,000+ searchable DNA sequences and 1,000+ validated genetic parts.
- Spun out of leading academic synthetic biology labs at MIT and Boston University.

## Latest updates

- **2023-01** — Announced $175M Series B led by CPP Investments, bringing total raised to over $200M, to scale tools and services for biologics, cell/gene therapy, and RNA.
- **2023-02** — Partnered with iGEM to accelerate mammalian synthetic biology.

## Links

- Website: https://www.asimov.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asimov/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/asimovbio

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/asimov
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-07