# HelixNano

> HelixNano is a Cambridge/Boston-based biotechnology company building what it calls the world's most advanced mRNA platform - combining synthetic biology and machine learning to make vaccines and therapies that augment the immune system. Founded in 2014 by sci-fi novelist and mathematician Hannu Rajaniemi and synthetic biologist Nikolai Eroshenko, the Y Combinator-backed startup has pursued variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccine candidates and machine-learning-designed personalized cancer vaccines built on 'precision neoantigens'.

- **Founded:** 2014
- **Headquarters:** Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Hannu Rajaniemi (Co-Founder & CEO), Nikolai Eroshenko (Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer)
- **Team size:** ~17 employees
- **Products:** Advanced mRNA platform, Precision neoantigen cancer vaccines, Variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccine candidates
- **Notable:** Built a proprietary mRNA platform described as the 'world's most advanced'., Developed 'precision neoantigen' technology to reduce uncertainty in personalized cancer vaccine design., Won a Schmidt Futures grant for machine-learning-enabled cancer vaccines.

## Products & services

- **Advanced mRNA platform** — A programmable mRNA technology platform engineered with synthetic biology and machine learning to enable highly potent vaccines and therapeutics.
- **Precision neoantigen cancer vaccines** — Personalized cancer vaccines that transform uncertain neoantigen candidates into 'precision neoantigens' designed to guarantee an immune response, developed with the Broad Institute's Hacohen Lab and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.
- **Variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccine candidates** — mRNA vaccine candidates designed to remain effective against emerging and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, progressing toward clinical trials.

## Achievements

- Built a proprietary mRNA platform described as the 'world's most advanced'.
- Developed 'precision neoantigen' technology to reduce uncertainty in personalized cancer vaccine design.
- Won a Schmidt Futures grant for machine-learning-enabled cancer vaccines.
- Pursued variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccine candidates during the pandemic, featured by CNBC.
- Raised roughly $46M total including a $45M Series A in 2022.
- Backed by Y Combinator and a roster of deep-tech and bio investors.

## Latest updates

- **2022-03** — Closed a $45M Series A round to advance its mRNA platform.
- **2023-03** — Co-founder and CEO Hannu Rajaniemi joined VC firm Plural as a venture partner while continuing at HelixNano.
- **2023-06** — Reported progress on variant-resistant COVID-19 vaccine candidates moving toward clinical trials.

## Links

- Website: https://helixnano.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/helixnano
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/helixnano
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/helixnano

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/helixnano
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-15