San Francisco has a thriving biotech ecosystem, with companies leading drug development, cell and gene therapies, AI-driven discovery, and precision medicine. The city is home to a mix of startups and established firms that collaborate with UCSF, Stanford, and biotech incubators like MBC BioLabs. Many biotech research companies here receive strong venture capital backing, allowing them to develop novel treatments at an accelerated pace.
This guide highlights biotech companies in San Francisco that are actively shaping medicine and science in 2025. Each company has been fact-checked to confirm its current status, relevance, and scientific impact.
64x Bio is engineering mammalian cell lines to improve the production of viral vectors, a key component in gene therapy. Their VectorSelect™ platform allows high-throughput screening of optimized cell lines, helping pharmaceutical companies in San Francisco scale up gene therapy manufacturing. The FDA-approved gene therapy market is rapidly growing, and 64x Bio is working to solve one of its biggest production challenges. Many gene therapies are limited by inefficient viral vector production. 64x Bio’s work reduces costs and increases accessibility for next-generation treatments.
89bio develops metabolic and liver disease therapies, focusing on NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Their lead drug, pegozafermin, is an FGF21 analog that has completed Phase 2 trials, showing promising reductions in liver fibrosis and inflammation. The NASH treatment market is expected to surpass $10 billion by 2030, with 89bio among the leaders developing potential first-in-class treatments. Millions suffer from NASH, yet no FDA-approved treatments exist. 89bio’s drug could be a breakthrough for liver disease.
Accelero Biostructures is a drug discovery service provider that uses X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to study disease mechanisms at the atomic level. Their 3D structural models help biotech research companies design more precise drugs, improving effectiveness and reducing toxicity. They partner with San Francisco pharmaceutical companies developing oncology, neurodegeneration, and infectious disease treatments. Understanding molecular structures is critical for designing effective new medicines.
Advanced Clinical supports San Francisco biotech companies by managing clinical trials. They provide patient recruitment, trial design, and regulatory support for oncology, rare diseases, and regenerative medicine. Their AI-powered risk monitoring tools ensure trials run efficiently and meet FDA standards. As more biotech firms move from discovery to human trials, Advanced Clinical plays a key role in accelerating drug development. Bringing a drug to market takes over 10 years on average—Advanced Clinical helps biotech research companies shorten this timeline.
Aizon applies AI and machine learning to pharmaceutical manufacturing, helping companies predict equipment failures, optimize production, and ensure regulatory compliance. Their real-time monitoring system allows biotech research companies to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Aizon's AI tools are particularly valuable for San Francisco pharmaceutical companies working in biologics and personalized medicine. Manufacturing errors cause drug shortages and delays—Aizon's AI prevents failures before they happen
Alife is bringing AI into fertility medicine by improving IVF embryo selection. IVF success rates vary widely between clinics, and treatment is expensive. Alife’s AI algorithms analyze IVF cycles to recommend the best embryo and hormone protocols, increasing success rates and reducing costs. 1 in 6 couples faces infertility challenges. AI-assisted IVF could help make treatments more effective and affordable.
Altay Therapeutics is developing small-molecule drugs for neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Their structure-based drug design platform identifies compounds that target disease pathways, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Unlike traditional treatments, Altay’s compounds are designed to slow disease progression by blocking inflammation at its source. Many neurodegenerative diseases have no cure. Altay is working on first-in-class treatments.
Altos Labs is a longevity research company focused on cellular rejuvenation and reprogramming. Their research explores how aged cells regain youthful function, with potential applications in regenerative medicine. If successful, their work could lead to therapies that slow aging and prevent age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease. Aging is the biggest risk factor for many diseases—Altos is working to extend healthspan and delay chronic conditions.
AltruBio is developing monoclonal antibodies that regulate T-cell activation, reducing immune system overreactions seen in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Their lead drug, neihulizumab, is in Phase 2 clinical trials and has shown promising results in reducing inflammation. Autoimmune diseases affect millions worldwide—AltruBio’s approach reduces inflammation without broad immune suppression.
Amprion is a pioneer in neurodegenerative disease diagnostics, focusing on early detection of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Their SynTap™ test detects misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins—a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease—using cutting-edge molecular diagnostic techniques. Early detection is crucial for slowing disease progression, and Amprion’s technology allows doctors to diagnose these conditions years before symptoms appear. Parkinson’s affects 10 million people worldwide. Amprion’s technology enables early treatment strategies that could improve patient outcomes.
Anagenex is combining AI, machine learning, and DNA-encoded libraries (DELs) to accelerate small-molecule drug discovery. Traditional drug screening is time-consuming and expensive, but Anagenex’s AI models predict drug-target interactions at an unprecedented speed. Their platform is designed to discover therapies for oncology, rare diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. AI-driven drug discovery allows faster, cheaper, and more precise identification of new therapies, reducing the time from research to clinical trials.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals is developing complement system-targeting therapies for rare and serious diseases. Their lead drug, EMPAVELI (pegcetacoplan), is FDA-approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare blood disorder. Apellis is now expanding its research into complement-based therapies for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and neurological disorders. Targeting the complement system offers new treatment pathways for diseases previously considered untreatable.
Apogee Therapeutics focuses on developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for inflammatory and immune-related diseases. Their pipeline includes therapies for asthma, COPD, and dermatological conditions. Apogee’s next-generation antibodies are designed to provide longer-lasting effects with fewer side effects than traditional treatments. Respiratory diseases affect millions, yet many treatments require frequent dosing. Apogee’s longer-acting antibodies could improve patient adherence and outcomes.
Arterys is a leader in AI-powered medical imaging, providing radiologists with real-time AI insights for faster and more accurate disease detection. Their FDA-cleared AI-powered software assists in diagnosing cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular conditions by analyzing MRI and CT scans more efficiently than traditional methods. AI-assisted medical imaging improves early disease detection, leading to faster treatments and better patient survival rates.
Atomwise is revolutionizing small-molecule drug discovery with deep learning-based AI models. Their AtomNet® platform rapidly screens billions of molecular compounds, identifying new drug candidates for cancer, neurodegeneration, and infectious diseases. AI-driven drug discovery could reduce the 10-year development cycle of new drugs to just a few years.
Auctus Surgical is developing next-generation spinal implants for treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Unlike traditional spinal fusion surgery, Auctus’ implants allow for adjustable spinal correction as a child grows, preserving spinal motion and reducing long-term complications. This approach offers a less invasive, motion-preserving alternative to traditional spinal fusion surgery in children.
BioQ Pharma develops pre-filled infusion systems for delivering injectable therapies safely and efficiently. Their single-use infusion devices provide precision dosing, improving safety and efficiency in hospital and home-care settings. The company focuses on oncology, pain management, and critical care drug delivery solutions. Reducing dosing errors and drug contamination risks improves patient safety in hospitals.
Blue Note Therapeutics is a digital therapeutics company developing FDA-approved prescription apps for cancer-related anxiety and mental health support. Their digital interventions provide psychological support to cancer patients and survivors, improving mental resilience during treatment. Addressing mental health as part of cancer care improves patient outcomes and quality of life.
BlueJay Therapeutics is developing novel RNA-targeted therapies for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and other infectious diseases. Their lead therapy, BJT-778, aims to eliminate HBV infections, providing a functional cure for chronic carriers. Over 250 million people have chronic hepatitis B, and BlueJay’s therapy could provide a long-awaited cure.
Bone Health Technologies is addressing osteoporosis and bone health with its FDA-designated wearable device that prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women. The OsteoBoost belt uses low-frequency vibration therapy to stimulate bone growth, potentially reducing fracture risk. Unlike traditional osteoporosis treatments, this non-drug solution offers a safe and accessible option for patients. Osteoporosis affects over 200 million people worldwide, and a non-invasive wearable therapy could improve bone health without medication side effects.
BrainKey is using AI and neuroimaging to create personalized brain health assessments. Their software allows users to analyze MRI scans and track brain aging, cognitive function, and neurological risk factors. The company partners with neurology clinics and research hospitals to integrate AI-driven diagnostics into early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. BrainKey’s AI-powered tools allow earlier intervention for conditions like Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.
Cairn Biosciences is developing precision oncology drugs by targeting ion channels in cancer cells. Their platform identifies tumor-specific ion channel vulnerabilities, enabling the design of small-molecule therapies that selectively kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissues. Ion channels are underexplored drug targets, and Cairn’s approach could lead to safer, more effective cancer therapies.
Caribou Biosciences is a CRISPR-based therapeutics company focused on gene-edited cell therapies for cancer and genetic diseases. Their CB-010 therapy, an allogeneic CAR-T treatment for B-cell lymphoma, has shown promising results in clinical trials. Caribou’s next-gen CRISPR technology improves gene editing accuracy and reduces off-target effects, making gene therapy safer. Caribou’s CRISPR platform could make off-the-shelf gene-edited cell therapies a reality.
Carmot Therapeutics is developing GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. Their lead drug, CT-388, is in clinical trials and aims to offer better weight loss and glucose control than existing treatments like Ozempic and Mounjaro. It was acquired by Roche in 2024 for $2.7B, now part of Roche’s metabolic disease pipeline. The obesity drug market is growing rapidly, and Carmot’s next-gen GLP-1 therapies could provide longer-lasting effects with fewer side effects.
Casma Therapeutics is developing autophagy-enhancing therapies to treat neurodegenerative and rare diseases. Their TRAIL platform targets cellular waste disposal mechanisms, which malfunction in diseases like Parkinson’s, ALS, and muscular dystrophy. By boosting autophagy, Casma’s drugs help cells clear out toxic protein aggregates and damaged organelles. Casma’s approach could lead to disease-modifying treatments for currently incurable neurodegenerative conditions by enhancing the body’s natural cellular repair mechanisms.
Cellares is making cell therapy manufacturing more scalable. Their Cell Shuttle platform fully automates CAR-T and other cell-based therapy production, reducing costs and turnaround times. Currently, cell therapies are costly because they rely on manual, complex manufacturing. Cellares' platform could allow biotech companies in San Francisco to produce personalized treatments at scale, lowering costs for patients. CAR-T therapies are highly effective but expensive. Cellares is solving manufacturing bottlenecks to increase patient access.
Cofactor Genomics is a pioneer in RNA-based diagnostics, developing immune profiling tests that predict cancer immunotherapy response. Their Predictive Immune Modeling (PIM) platform uses machine learning to analyze RNA signatures, helping doctors identify patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Only ~20% of cancer patients respond to immunotherapy. Cofactor’s immune profiling tests help match the right treatment to the right patient.
Color is a population genomics company providing genetic screening and precision health programs to employers, healthcare providers, and public health initiatives. Their platform offers affordable genetic testing for cancer risk, heart disease, and pharmacogenomics, helping patients personalize their healthcare based on genetic data. Making genomic insights more accessible allows for preventative medicine and earlier disease intervention.
Concerto HealthAI is using real-world data and AI analytics to improve oncology drug development. By analyzing electronic health records, clinical trials, and genomic data, Concerto helps biotech research companies optimize precision medicine trials and regulatory submissions. Real-world evidence speeds up clinical trial recruitment and regulatory decisions, getting cancer drugs to market faster.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is developing immuno-oncology drugs that target the tumor microenvironment. Their lead therapy, mupadolimab (anti-CD73 antibody), is in clinical trials for lung cancer and head & neck cancer. By enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, Corvus aims to improve the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda. Tumors often suppress immune attacks. Corvus’ therapies remove these barriers, boosting the body’s natural cancer-fighting abilities.
Cytobank (a Beckman Coulter Company)
Cytobank specializes in cloud-based single-cell analysis for cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease research, and drug discovery. Their AI-driven platform enables researchers to analyze high-dimensional flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing data, making it easier to uncover immune system responses and biomarker signatures. It was acquired by Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, but continues to operate independently as an advanced analytics platform for San Francisco biotech companies. AI-driven single-cell analysis accelerates precision medicine research, particularly for cancer immunotherapy and autoimmune diseases.
Deep Genomics is using artificial intelligence to design RNA-based therapies for genetic diseases. Their AI-powered drug discovery engine scans billions of genetic mutations to identify potential drug targets, reducing the time needed for drug candidate selection. AI-powered drug discovery reduces the trial-and-error approach, accelerating the development of personalized genetic medicines.
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Denali Therapeutics is focused on treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and Hunter syndrome. Their blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing technology allows drugs to reach the brain more effectively, overcoming a major hurdle in neurology drug development. Many neurological drugs fail because they can’t cross the blood-brain barrier. Denali’s BBB technology improves drug delivery to the brain, enhancing treatment effectiveness.
DNAnexus provides cloud-based genomic data analysis for pharmaceutical companies in San Francisco, research institutions, and public health agencies. Their platform enables large-scale genomic data processing, supporting genomic medicine, precision oncology, and population health studies. Genomic data is growing exponentially. DNAnexus provides the infrastructure for large-scale analysis, accelerating discoveries in genomic medicine.
Eidos Therapeutics (Now Part of BridgeBio Pharma)
Eidos Therapeutics developed AG10, a drug for transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR-CM), a rare heart disease. The drug was acquired by BridgeBio Pharma and is under FDA review for potential approval. Eidos was fully acquired by BridgeBio Pharma in 2021 but remains a leader in cardiovascular rare disease drug development. ATTR-CM is underdiagnosed and fatal if untreated. Eidos’ therapy could become a first-in-class treatment, improving cardiac function and survival rates.
Encoded Therapeutics is developing gene therapies for pediatric neurological diseases, with a focus on Dravet syndrome (a rare form of epilepsy). Their approach targets gene regulation rather than replacing faulty genes, reducing the risk of immune rejection associated with traditional gene therapy. Traditional gene therapy replaces defective genes, but Encoded’s gene regulation approach could provide more precise, long-term benefits for neurological disorders.
ExThera Medical develops blood purification technologies for sepsis, bloodstream infections, and inflammatory conditions. Their Seraph 100 blood filter removes bacteria, viruses, and harmful inflammatory molecules from the bloodstream, improving survival rates in sepsis patients. Sepsis is a leading cause of hospital deaths. ExThera’s blood purification could revolutionize treatment by directly removing pathogens from the bloodstream.
Freenome is a leader in liquid biopsy technology, developing blood-based tests for early cancer detection. Their multiomics platform integrates AI, genomic sequencing, and proteomics to detect cancer before symptoms appear. Early detection saves lives. Freenome’s blood tests could make cancer screening more accessible and effective, especially for high-risk patients.
Geltor is pioneering sustainable biodesign, using precision fermentation to produce animal-free collagen and bioactive proteins for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutrition industries. Instead of extracting collagen from animals, Geltor engineers microbes to produce customized human-compatible proteins. As demand for ethical, animal-free proteins grows, Geltor provides a scalable, sustainable alternative for biotech companies in San Francisco.
GenEdit is developing next-generation gene editing delivery systems using non-viral nanoparticles. Traditional gene therapy relies on viral vectors, which can trigger immune responses. GenEdit’s polymer-based nanoparticles allow safer and more precise gene therapy delivery. Research areas include Neurological gene therapies (ALS, muscular dystrophy) and Non-viral CRISPR delivery for genetic disorders. Non-viral gene therapy delivery is a major innovation, offering higher safety and precision than traditional viral-based approaches.
Glympse Bio is developing non-invasive biosensors for real-time disease monitoring. Their engineered synthetic biomarkers circulate in the bloodstream and can be detected in a simple blood test, providing early signals of cancer progression, liver disease, and fibrosis. Traditional biopsies are invasive and risky. Glympse Bio’s technology allows doctors to monitor diseases using a blood test instead of invasive procedures.
Gritstone Oncology is developing personalized cancer vaccines and neoantigen-based immunotherapies. Their EDGE AI platform predicts tumor-specific neoantigens, allowing for the creation of customized cancer vaccines that activate the patient’s immune system. Traditional cancer treatments often fail because they don’t target tumor mutations. Gritstone’s AI-driven approach designs vaccines tailored to each patient’s tumor.
Grail (a subsidiary of Illumina)
Grail is leading the early cancer detection revolution with its multi-cancer liquid biopsy test, Galleri. By analyzing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood samples, Galleri can detect over 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear. Earlier cancer detection significantly improves survival rates. Grail’s liquid biopsy technology makes routine cancer screening possible with a single blood test.
Hexagon Bio is discovering new antibiotics and antifungal drugs using AI-driven microbial genome mining. Their AI algorithms analyze fungal genomes to find previously unknown natural products that could serve as the next generation of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a growing crisis. Hexagon Bio’s AI-powered approach can find new classes of antibiotics faster than traditional methods.
Insitro is combining machine learning and biology to create AI-powered drug discovery models. Their computational drug discovery platform predicts how diseases progress and how drugs interact with human biology, speeding up the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases. Traditional drug discovery takes over a decade. Insitro’s AI models reduce failure rates and accelerate drug development.
Prolific Machines is transforming biomanufacturing and cellular agriculture by developing a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional protein production. Their technology enables cell-based meat production without the need for expensive growth factors, making sustainable food biotechnology more viable. By leveraging precision biology and automation, they aim to reduce costs and increase efficiency in cellular food production. Biotech is reshaping agriculture, and Prolific Machines’ work in cellular food production could help reduce reliance on factory farming and provide sustainable protein alternatives.
Ambagon Therapeutics is pioneering a new class of molecular glues that stabilize protein-protein interactions (PPIs) for targeted therapies. Unlike traditional small molecules that inhibit proteins, Ambagon’s approach enhances natural cellular functions to treat cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Their lead program focuses on stabilizing tumor-suppressor proteins for drug-resistant cancers. Traditional cancer therapies often face drug resistance. Ambagon’s protein-stabilizing drugs offer a new therapeutic approach for previously undruggable targets.
InterVenn Biosciences is a leader in glycoproteomics, using AI-powered mass spectrometry to develop blood-based diagnostics for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their Venntura™ platform analyzes glycan biomarkers, which are more specific than traditional protein-based markers, improving diagnostic accuracy. They are currently developing liquid biopsy tests for ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Early cancer detection is critical for survival, and InterVenn’s glycoproteomics-based tests provide a highly accurate, non-invasive alternative to traditional diagnostics.
Recursion Pharmaceuticals is an AI-driven drug discovery company using high-throughput biological imaging to find new uses for existing drugs. Their AI models analyze millions of drug-cell interactions, accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutics for rare diseases and oncology. AI can identify overlooked drug candidates, repurposing existing medications for new diseases.
Zymergen (Now Part of Ginkgo Bioworks)
Zymergen, now a subsidiary of Ginkgo Bioworks, focuses on synthetic biology and bioengineering to develop biodegradable materials, sustainable chemicals, and bio-based pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo Bioworks acquired Zymergen in 2022, integrating their synthetic biology platform into bio-manufacturing applications. Biotech is reshaping industries beyond healthcare. Zymergen’s bioengineered materials could replace petroleum-based plastics and chemicals with sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion: The Future of Biotech in San Francisco
San Francisco remains a global powerhouse for biotech innovation, bringing together scientists, engineers, and AI experts to develop next-generation therapeutics, diagnostics, and biomanufacturing solutions. From gene editing and precision medicine to AI-driven drug discovery and sustainable biotech, the companies featured in this blog are advancing the frontiers of healthcare and life sciences.
The city's biotech ecosystem thrives on collaboration—with startups, pharmaceutical companies in San Francisco, venture capital firms, and research institutions like UCSF and Stanford working together to bring scientific discoveries to life. These biotech research companies are tackling some of the biggest challenges in medicine, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.
As the biotech industry in San Francisco continues to grow, the demand for scalable lab operations, automated data analysis, and integrated research workflows is increasing. Companies looking to accelerate their R&D and streamline processes must adopt cutting-edge digital solutions to stay ahead.
With strong financial backing, cutting-edge research, and a thriving startup ecosystem, San Francisco will continue to lead the global biotech revolution, shaping the future of medicine and human health.
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