Fueling Genomics Innovation Through Cross-Institutional Collaboration
Before founding Genomenon, Dr. Mark Kiel was a researcher at the University of Michigan, spending hours digging through scientific literature to help cancer patients. Despite the sheer volume of available research, critical insights were often buried—locked behind obscure terminology and inconsistent reporting.
That personal frustration revealed a much broader challenge: how to turn academic discoveries into tools that solve real-world problems.
The result was Genomenon—a company that uses AI to help interpret complex genetic data—now supporting hundreds of labs and healthcare providers around the globe. But the path from lab bench to life-saving platform didn’t happen overnight.
From Research to Real-World Impact
Genomenon’s core technology, developed at the University of Michigan, is an AI-powered engine called “genomic language processing.” It was designed to make sense of the many ways scientists describe genetic variants across millions of published papers.
The technology addressed an urgent need. But turning that breakthrough into a business required more than a good idea. It meant building a company—complete with a business model, go-to-market strategy, and the right leadership team.
“Mark was looking for someone to help scale the company,” recalls Mike Klein, who ultimately stepped in as CEO. “I could barely spell DNA at the time, but I knew how to grow a tech company.”
A Rare Collaboration
One of the most unusual chapters in Genomenon’s story came early in its journey, when both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University—through the MSU Research Foundation’s venture investment fund, Red Cedar Ventures—invested in the company. It was a rare collaboration between rival institutions.
“As much as we have rivalries on athletic fields, this sort of transcends that,” said David Washburn, CEO of the MSU Research Foundation. “Both universities are on the same team when it comes to supporting innovation that improves lives.”
This kind of cross-institutional collaboration reflects a broader shift in how universities approach tech transfer. The focus is less on ownership, and more on impact.
What It Takes to Cross the Bridge
Genomenon’s success offers a playbook for others trying to commercialize academic innovation:
Complementary expertise is critical. Kiel brought deep scientific knowledge; Klein brought startup and scaling experience.
Mission matters. Klein was drawn in part by a personal connection—his mother’s experience with breast cancer—underscoring how shared purpose can unite diverse teams.
Patient capital helps. University-affiliated funds understood the long timelines involved and provided room for the company to grow.
Lessons for Innovation Ecosystems
Thirty years ago, Klein says, Michigan had only a handful of venture firms. Today, the state boasts a much more robust innovation ecosystem—thanks to university programs, angel networks, and state-backed initiatives designed to support startups at every stage.
But the most important lesson? Collaboration is key.
When academic institutions, investors, and entrepreneurs work together—across silos and even across rivalries—they can unlock innovations that might otherwise never leave the lab.
“We’re not the ones doing the treatment,” says Klein. “We’re the ones helping the people who do. That’s our role—to bridge the gap and put the right information in the right hands, at the right time.”
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This article is based on an interview with Mike Klein, CEO of Genomenon, on the MSU Research Foundation Podcast. You can listen to the full conversation on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.