b'Nick Meyerson and Darwin Biosciences: Pivoting from Defense Contracting to Commercial OpportunitiesIn 2017, CU Boulder virologist Sara Sawyer, Ph.D., was awarded a U.S. Department of Defense basic science grant to study RNA biomarkers in infectious-disease biospec-imens. Nicholas (Nick) Meyerson, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the lab, was the lead scientist on the project. Together, they discovered a conserved RNA signature in saliva thats derived from a very early immune response that is indicative of any kind of infection, as he describes it.A diagnostic device capable of detecting that signature could amount to a universal infection sensor, one that could respond even before symptoms present. Doing that quickly and inexpensively with a handheld, disposable device could quash transmission chains. The U.S. military was interested in its potential for screening service members toWeve executed in keep its forces healthy.Meyerson and Sawyer launched Darwincreative ways to Biosciences March 6, 2020, with Meyersonextend our runway.taking on his first role as a CEO. Five days later, the World Health Organization declaredIts going to buy meCOVID-19 a pandemic. Meyerson suspected that Darwins tech- the time I need tonology could detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva. A saliva sample confirmed that, andland our next big deal. that Darwins approach could spot specific diseases, too. Within weeks, he was settingNICHOLAS MEYERSON, Ph.D., FOUNDER & CEO, DARWIN BIOSCIENCESup testing sites at dozens of schools and universities in Colorado and Nebraska. The $750,000 in testing revenue bootstrappedthe company had to tighten its belt amid anext DoD customer, an investor, or a poten-the company until Darwin was awarded antough funding environment. tial strategic partner, Ive learned how to $8 million prototype development contractMeyerson finds himself leading anotherpresent Darwins vision in a way that appeals from the Department of Defense. Follow-onpivot. He aims to keep advancing Darwinsto very different audiences. work brought the total to $17 million.core technology as he seeks out funding andGood news came in July, when a Small Darwin Biosciences team grew to more thanstrategic partners who might be interestedBusiness Innovation Research award from 20 employees and consultants as it refinedin applying Darwins scientific innovationsthe National Cancer Institute came through, the device through three iterations, the lastto developing pathogen panels for respira- and he says other deals are afoot.capable of amplifying nucleic acids in the palmtory viruses or other infections, diagnosticsIm feeling like were going to survive this of ones hand and yielding results in about 30for companion animals, or applications inthing. Weve executed in creative ways to minutes. This was a scientific and engineeringoncology screening.extend our runway, Meyerson says. Its success. However, when the contract wrappedIve pivoted in every possible direction,going to buy me the time I need to land our up after successful completion in June 2025,Meyerson says. Whether Im talking to mynext big deal. 20 BIOSCIENCE COLORADO 2025-2026'