# Novel sequencing by synthesis chemistry to further reduce the cost of nucleic acid sequencing

> **NIH NIH R44** · ULTIMA GENOMICS, INC. · 2020 · $1,382,286

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Ultima Genomics, Inc. proposes to develop a novel sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) chemistry that will further
leverage the strengths of the company's high-throughput sequencing system. The new technology will further
reduce cost compared with state-of-the-art commercial technologies and will particularly benefit DNA 
sequencing applications that are cost constrained, such as sequencing large populations, generating methylation and
transcriptome profiles for millions of single cells, and enabling liquid biopsy applications. Target customers
include genome centers, CROs, research labs, and clinical labs.
The company is pioneering a series of inter-related innovations that mutually reinforce one another in a 
virtuous circle to achieve much lower cost. The first generation of this platform – which is currently under 
development and will soon be seeded to select beta test sites – substantially advances the state of the art, but does not
exploit the full potential of the innovations. In the proposed Direct to Phase 2 project, the company will design,
develop, and optimize a new chemistry that unlocks the full potential of the platform; port the new chemistry to
the existing hardware platform while maintaining highly competitive specifications for accuracy, read length,
and time to answer; demonstrate the throughput improvements that will further lower overall costs; and 
rigorously validate performance across these and other metrics.
By dramatically reducing sequencing cost, Ultima Genomics' technology will directly impact a wide range of
scientific capabilities with direct relevance for public health, including characterization of tumors, detection of
early stage cancers through blood test, and personalized/precision medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955108
- **Project number:** 1R44HG011060-01
- **Recipient organization:** ULTIMA GENOMICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Joseph Mazur
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,382,286
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2021-10-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955108

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955108, Novel sequencing by synthesis chemistry to further reduce the cost of nucleic acid sequencing (1R44HG011060-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955108. Licensed CC0.

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