Pathmaker Revolutionizing protein analysis — from discovery to disease
We convert amino-acid information into DNA-based readouts that can be measured on any standard DNA platform — making biomarker analysis simple, quantitative and affordable.
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Accelerating disease research by simplifying biomarker analysis
Pathmaker Bio's mission is to accelerate disease research by dramatically simplifying protein and peptide biomarker analysis — making it cost-effective and easy to adopt.
Proteins are heterogeneous
Proteins are the workhorses of cells and the primary functional units of biology. Understanding protein heterogeneity—including sequence variations, degradation, and post-translational modifications (PTMs)—can yield valuable insights into disease mechanisms, therapeutic responses, and clinical outcomes.
Current methods have limitations
Protein markers are increasingly important in drug discovery and development. However, many current assay methods rely on antibodies, which often have limited specificity and recognize epitopes rather than directly interrogating full sequence. Mass spectrometry remains the gold standard but requires expensive, specialized hardware and complex workflows.
The Conversome™ solution is powerful
Single-molecule approaches offer potential but remain early in development. Pathmaker Bio introduces a novel class of reagents called Conversome™ that read amino acid sequences alongside PTMs and convert them directly into DNA sequences—leveraging existing NGS and qPCR infrastructure for cost-effective execution.
Conversome™ reverse-translate peptides into DNA
Pathmaker Bio is developing a novel, patented class of molecules called Conversome™. These molecules identify and 'reverse-translate' peptide sequences into DNA readouts, while also detecting post-translational modifications.
During the assay, the process generates a stretch of oligonucleotide known as a pDNA™ sequence. This sequence serves as a surrogate readout for the target protein or peptide and can be analyzed on any standard DNA analysis platform.
By converting protein information into DNA, this chemistry enables rapid, highly quantitative protein detection. The same proprietary chemistry can generate on-demand synthetic antibodies — custom affinity reagents tailored to any specific protein or peptide sequence.
The entire workflow is a simple benchtop process that integrates with widely accessible DNA platforms, including qPCR and NGS.
One chemistry, many applications
From multiplexed panels to bespoke affinity reagents, the Conversome™ platform adapts to the questions disease research needs answered.
Analysis of panels of proteins
Analyze multiplexed panels of target proteins in a single benchtop assay, with DNA-based quantification.
Affinity reagents — synthetic "antibodies"
Generate on-demand custom affinity reagents tailored to any target protein or peptide sequence.
Proteoform analysis
Resolve proteoforms by reading sequence variation and post-translational modifications directly from the pDNA™ readout.
Pathmaker Bio Products
Everything needed to turn protein information into a DNA readout, formulated and ready for the bench.
Pathmaker Bio Conversion™ Kit
A complete benchtop kit for converting target proteins and peptides into pDNA™ readouts, compatible with qPCR and NGS instruments already in your lab.
Proprietary Conversome™ reagents
Conversion™ Kit reagents include proprietary Conversome™ and Oligoconversome™ molecules to generate pDNA™. Each is pre-formulated with unique Ligamers™ and Decodons™.
Founding Members and Advisory Team
Richard Fekete, Ph.D.
Serial entrepreneur and innovator with over two decades spanning R&D, product development, and corporate leadership. As CEO at Pathmaker Bio, he leads commercialization of the Conversome™ platform. Previously held leadership roles at BlackBox Bio, Life Technologies, Applied Biosystems, and Thermo Fisher.
Alex Li, Ph.D.
Assay chemistry and analytical pipeline conversion pioneer. Co-inventor of Ion AmpliSeq multi-gene targeted panel technology at Thermo Fisher / Life Tech. Dr. Li earned his Ph.D. from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and B.S. from UC Berkeley.
Larry Xi, Ph.D.
Biotech entrepreneur and serial co-founder with 30+ years of expertise in enzymology and single-molecule technologies. Accomplished innovator behind 20+ patents, 20+ research papers, and 10+ commercial products. Holds a Ph.D. from the University of Houston with postdoctoral training at MD Anderson.
Suvarna Gandlur, Ph.D.
Commercial strategist with over two decades of experience managing product lifecycles across life sciences and molecular diagnostics. Leads Pathmaker’s market strategy, product roadmap, and strategic partnerships, with prior leadership roles at Bruker, Takara Bio, and Bio-Rad Laboratories.
Jeff Kim, Ph.D.
Founder, scientist and executive with a background in genomics, molecular/computational biology, biochemistry, and venture capital. Committed to improving healthcare by driving innovation in biotech.
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