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That’s Changing The World

one molecule at a time

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About The Company

Apton Biosystems, Inc., is a California-based developer of Super-Res multiomic systems for research and clinical applications. Apton has
re-imagined the optical systems for sequencing and protein detection using super-resolution to evaluate molecules spaced closer than the wavelength of light.

Team Spotlight

I came to Apton Biosystems because I believe, with the proper tool, anything can be achieved. The innovative proprietary technology that Apton's Specialized Team has developed is a game changer and will soon revolutionize the biotech industry.

Patrick Quintanilla
Manufacturing Engineer |

They told me they wanted to do sequencing, they wanted to do single molecule, and they wanted to do it on a single instrument - I knew that I had to be there. And when I started, I realized that every single person I work with is brilliant.

Scott Gablenz
Senior Scientist |

Management Team

  • John Hanna CEO
  • Bryan Staker Founder, CTO
  • Scott Gorton CFO
  • Abizar Lakdawalla Vice President of Product Development
  • Jim Jahncke Vice President, Engineering
  • Alexander Gall VP of Chemistry
  • Lindsey Williams Executive Director of Research & Development
  • Norman Burns Director of Chemistry
  • Bojk Berghuis Director of Technology
  • John Didion Director of Bioinformatics
  • Jennifer Lang Corporate Development Analyst

Board of Directors

  • John Hanna CEO

    John is the CEO of Apton Biosystems. He is a commercial leader and health policy expert with over twenty years of experience in revenue-generating and management roles across the health insurance, healthcare IT, and molecular diagnostics industries. John most recently served as the chief commercial officer of Veracyte, Inc. where he was responsible for the marketing, sales and market-access for a portfolio of innovative molecular diagnostic products. John previously held roles with IBM, Humana Inc., and America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). He received his MBA from University of Miami and BA in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College.

  • Bryan Staker Founder, CTO

    Bryan Staker is Apton's Founder and Chief Technology Officer. Bryan is a seasoned biotech and high-tech startup veteran with over 25 years of experience at previous startups including Complete Genomics, Glimmerglass Networks and Silicon Light Machines. He has led teams that have successfully brought technologies from idea to market in disparate fields including DNA sequencing, optical telecommunications, display and print. Bryan is skilled in electrical, silicon, optical and mechanical engineering including algorithm development and multi-physics modeling. He has an M.S. degree in Applied Physics from Stanford University and an M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and B.S. degree in Physics from Brigham Young University.

  • Heiner Dreismann Chairman of the Board

    Heiner has over 35 years’ experience in the global leadership of high-growth life sciences and healthcare businesses. Dr Dreismann was previously the President and CEO of Roche Molecular Systems, the world leader in molecular diagnostics, where he made significant contributions to the organizational and financial growth of the company’s molecular business area. Other senior positions he held in Roche included Head of Global Business Development, Roche Diagnostics and Member of Roche’s Global Diagnostic Executive Committee. Since leaving Roche he has served on the board of a number of private and public biotechnology and healthcare companies in the United States, Europe and Israel.

  • Geoff Smith Board Member

    Geoff Smith, PhD is a leader in genomics technologies and applications. Most recently he served as CEO of Cambridge Epigenetix. Geoff was Vice President at Illumina, where he served for over 10 years, having joined the company via the acquisition of Solexa. Geoff led the invention of many aspects of the core sequencing technology and workflow and platforms such as the MiSeq and HiSeq. Prior to Solexa, Geoff was head of research at Adprotech, a company he also joined from start-up. Geoff has a first degree and PhD from Cambridge University, and held postdoctoral research positions with HHMI at UT Southwestern, USA and MRC Cambridge, UK.

  • Jay Kern Board Member

    Jay is the Founder and General Partner of Kern Capital. Jay has 25 years of experience investing in, assisting, and serving on the boards of companies ranging across venture stage and industry vertical, though with a focus on the life sciences. Prior to embarking on his career in private equity investing, Jay was a consultant with McKinsey & Co to the manufacturing and financial services industries. He received his JD and MBA from the University of Chicago and his BA from Princeton University.

  • Rajesh Swaminathan Board Member

    Rajesh is a Venture Partner at Khosla Ventures. Rajesh brings with him two decades of experience assisting and investing in deeptech startups across Semiconductors, Advanced Optics, AI, AR/ VR, Silicon Photonics, Medical devices, 3D Printing and Energy. Rajesh has served at Applied Ventures LLC, Third Point LLC and at Lucent’s Bell Labs. He has received his MBA at Harvard Business School and an M.S. from the University of Maryland at College Park. Rajesh received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

  • Shaun Rodriguez Board Member

    Shaun Rodriguez, Director of Life Science Research, joined Casdin Capital in 2015. His coverage universe is focused on life science tools, diagnostics, healthcare information technology and services, and industrial applications of biotechnology. Prior to joining Casdin, Shaun served as Director and Senior Research Analyst at Cowen and Company in the firm’s healthcare equity research group where he was recognized as a 2014 Rising Stars of Wall Street by Institutional Investor. Previously, Shaun worked in early-stage healthcare venture capital as an Associate with the Partners Innovation Fund, and in strategic business development with Partners Healthcare. Shaun earned a PhD in Biological Sciences from Harvard University. He also holds a B.S. from the University of Maine and an M.S. from Tufts University. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Lawrence General Hospital, Massachusetts.