Exploring the Complexity of Cells and Their Impact on Drug Discovery

DNA sequencing is on the cusp of a major transformation, and Gilad Almogy, CEO of Ultima Genomics, is leading the charge. In this episode of FYI, ARK’s Chief Futurist, Brett Winton, and Multiomics analyst Nemo Despot explore how Ultima is making whole-genome sequencing radically cheaper—driving costs down from $1,000 to just $80 per genome, with ambitions for even further reductions. Gilad shares how his background in semiconductors shaped Ultima’s innovative approach, which relies on cost-efficient silicon wafers and high-throughput sequencing. The conversation also dives into the massive potential applications for low-cost sequencing, from cancer diagnostics and population genomics to AI-driven drug discovery.

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Ultima Genomics’ unique approach is slashing sequencing costs
• The growing role of AI in understanding biology
• Why sequencing demand is highly elastic—cheaper data unlocks new applications
• The future of personalized medicine and real-time cancer detection
• How population-scale genomics will transform healthcare