Circular Genomics to relocate HQ from Albuquerque to San Diego

Circular Genomics, a biotechnology company, announced Monday that it had moved its headquarters from Albuquerque to San Diego, California.

The company specializes in neurology and psychiatry research, including a breakthrough technology that helps people with depression.

Circular Genomics officials in a news release said the company was selected to join Lilly Gateway Labs in San Diego, where it will receive scientific and operational expertise, as well as a state-of-the-art wet lab facility and resources from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly.

Circular Genomics CEO Paul Sargeant called it a “pivotal step” for the company.

“We believe that tapping into Lilly’s powerful neuroscience expertise, coupled with the operational support, resources and scientific engagement available through Gateway Labs, will significantly advance the development of groundbreaking diagnostic and prognostic blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease,” Sargeant said.

Journal archives show that the startup, founded in 2021, received a $4.5 million cash injection from three investors, including Santa Fe-based Cottonwood Technologies, in December 2021. Circular Genomics also closed in on an $8.3 million Series A investment round led by Mountain Group Partners last year.

The company was previously housed at 5901 Indian School NE, home of the BioScience Center, an Uptown incubator focused on bioscience and life-science startups.

In its statement announcing the relocation, Circular Genomics also touted some of its research over the last three-plus years.

The company highlighted MindLight, a blood test that predicts whether patients with major depressive disorder will respond to certain antidepressant treatments. According to the statement, Circular Genomics recently expanded the MindLight technology to patients with Alzheimer’s.

“Partnering with Lilly Gateway Labs will significantly accelerate our mission to integrate precision medicine into the standard of care for neurology and significantly improve patient outcomes,” said Nikolaos Mellios, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Circular Genomics.

The Journal reached out to Circular Genomics, but its officials were unavailable for an interview.