Meet Alithea Genomics’ co-founder Riccardo Dainese and find out how he simplifies high-throughput RNA sequencing

07.09.2021 07:30, Isabelle Mitchell

Riccardo Dainese co-founded Alithea Genomics, a Venture Leaders Biotech that has developed a new method for RNA sequencing samples preparation, called BRB-seq (Bulk RNA Barcoding and sequencing). This technology makes it possible—for the first time—to perform RNA sequencing on a large number of tissues, cells, and blood RNA samples in a fast, robust, and cost-effective way. Learn more about Riccardo’s expectations for the Venture Leaders biotech experience, and discover the all-too-relatable advice he would give to his younger self.

Switzerland boasts one of the world’s most renowned and innovative biotech industries. To do justice to this powerful position, Swiss biotech startups now have their own Venture Leaders program: During their roadshow, the Venture Leaders Biotech will meet international investors and industry leaders and access industry-specific expertise and networks to grow their companies. For the next few weeks, we shine the spotlight on the 10 Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 and introduce you to the inaugural graduates of the program. To learn more about the startups, we asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life.

Name: Riccardo Dainese
Location: Cossonay
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: EPFL with a PhD in Bioengineering
Your job title: Co-founder and CEO of Alithea Genomics 
Employees: 5
First touchpoint with Venturelab: Venture Kick in 2020    

“At Alithea Genomics, we enable the development of a new generation of RNA-based biomarkers.”    

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup? 
Our startup is based on a technology (BRB-seq) developed over three years of cutting-edge research in the Laboratory of Systems Biology and Genetics at EPFL. We initially developed BRB-seq to address our own research issues: measuring the expression of RNA molecules accurately and in a large cohort of samples. After publishing BRB-seq, we received several inquiries from pharma/biotech companies and large hospital centers. This made us realize the commercial potential of our technology, which we set out to bring to the market by launching Alithea Genomics SA.       

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders program, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
To us, the Venture Leaders program represents two great opportunities: First, we expect the program to boost our international reach and network, both in terms of potential partners and investors. Second, we also expect the program to facilitate and consolidate the formation of partnerships within the program participants themselves. We have, in fact, identified many potential synergies between the other participating companies and us, which we plan to fully explore during the duration of the program.

What is your favorite TV show?
HBO’s Chernobyl because it gave me the chills from beginning to end.        

What is your favorite book?
Has China Won? The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy by Kishore Mahbubani because it completely changed my perception of the Chinese economy and politics.            

What advice would you give your teenage self?
“As soon as you hear the word ‘Bitcoin,’ buy as much of that stuff as you possibly can.”    

How did you come up with the name of your startup?
Our CTO, Daniel Alpern, is a big fan of Greek and Roman philosophy, and he proposed Alithea, which means truth in Greek.

Where and when are you most productive?
In the office, between 9 a.m. and noon.             

How and where do you clear your mind?
Playing football really helps me to reset my mind and recharge my (mental) batteries.

Last but not least, could you show us your workspace?


For more information and updates on Alithea Genomics and the Venture Leaders Biotech, follow the Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 team with #VLeadersBiotech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 

Venture Leaders Biotech 2021 is co-organized by Venturelab and Swissnex and supported by EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, VISCHER, and the Canton of Zurich.