Karius

Karius (operating at kariusdx.com) is a clinical metagenomics company engineered for advanced infectious disease diagnostics. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Redwood City, CA, Karius specializes in solving the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods by leveraging cutting-edge genomic sequencing. Unlike conventional tests that rely on culture-dependent or single-pathogen approaches—often missing emerging or co-infections—Karius Spectrum™ uses plasma metagenomic sequencing of microbial cell-free DNA to detect over 1,000 pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, DNA viruses, and protozoa, directly from a blood sample. This allows clinicians to identify complex infections with unprecedented precision, accelerating treatment decisions and reducing reliance on empirical therapy. The platform’s AI-driven analysis further enhances diagnostic accuracy, enabling faster responses to antimicrobial resistance and rare pathogens. Backed by $315 million in funding, including a $100 million Series C round co-led by Khosla Ventures and 5am Ventures, Karius is positioned to redefine infectious disease management through scalable genomic diagnostics.