iCarbonX
{{short description|Chinese genomics company}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = ICarbonX_company_logo.png
| native_name = iCarbonX(碳云智能）
| type = Private
| founded = October 2015
| founder = Jun Wang
| hq_location = Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| industry = Health Care, Genomics
| num_locations = 2
| key_people = Jun Wang
| website = [http://www.icarbonx.com www.icarbonx.com]
}}{{ Lowercase title}}
iCarbonX is a company founded by Chinese genomicist Jun Wang, former CEO of Beijing Genomic Institute (BGI), in 2015. iCarbonX combines genomics with other health factors such as metabolites, bacteria and lifestyle choices to create a digitalized form of life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chinamoneynetwork.com/2017/01/05/alpha-unicorn-icarbonx-eyes-800m-wechat-users-to-build-global-precision-health-giant|title=Alpha Unicorn iCarbonX Eyes 800M WeChat Users To Build Global Precision Health Giant – China Money Network|website=www.chinamoneynetwork.com|date=5 January 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-03}}
History
iCarbonX was founded on October 27, 2015. On September 10, 2016, iCarbonX acquired Imagu Vision Technologies, an Israeli AI and image processing company,{{Cite web |date=2016-09-13 |title=Tencent-backed Chinese AI platform iCarbonX acquires Israel's Imagu Vision Technologies |url=https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/chinese-ai-platform-icarbonx-acquires-israeli-imagu-vision-technologies-53213/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=DealStreetAsia |language=en}} in order to establish an iCarbonX-Israel R&D center.{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianscientist.com/2016/09/tech/icarbonx-acquires-imagu/|title=China's iCarbonX Acquires Israel-Based Imagu For A.I. Technology|date=2016-09-22|work=Asian Scientist Magazine {{!}} Science, Technology and Medicine News Updates From Asia|access-date=2017-10-03|language=en-US}}
On January 5, 2017, iCarbonX announced its Digital Life Alliance with seven other companies including SomaLogic, HealthTell, PatientsLikeMe, AOBiome, GALT, Imagu and Robustnique.{{Cite web|url=http://www.diagnosticsworldnews.com/2017/1/9/patientslikeme-joins-wangs-icarbonx-digital-life-alliance-cornerstone.aspx|title=Diagnostics World News|website=www.diagnosticsworldnews.com|access-date=2017-04-11|archive-date=2017-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823160625/http://www.diagnosticsworldnews.com/2017/1/9/patientslikeme-joins-wangs-icarbonx-digital-life-alliance-cornerstone.aspx|url-status=dead}}
iCarbonX has raised over $600 million in investment. Tencent Holdings Limited (owner of social-media app WeChat) and Zhongyuan Union Cell & Gene Engineering Corp. invested $200 million{{cite journal |last=Cyranoski |first=David |date=12 January 2017 |title=Chinese AI company plans to mine health data faster than rivals |journal=Nature |volume=541 |issue=7636 |pages=141–142 |bibcode=2017Natur.541..141C |doi=10.1038/541141a |pmid=28079091 |doi-access=free}} in iCarbonX, which made iCarbonX one of only three Chinese healthcare startups with a valuation of more than $1 billion (considered a Unicorn). The company has about 100 employees.{{Cite news |date=2016-06-29 |title=How to Predict Your Body's Health With a Digital DNA Avatar |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-29/disease-predicting-avatars-fuel-billion-dollar-chinese-startup |access-date=2017-10-03}}
On January 5, 2017, iCarbonX released Meum, a digital health management platform.{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170105005285/en/iCarbonX-Expands-Digital-Life-Alliance-Accelerate-Development|title=iCarbonX Expands Digital Life Alliance to Accelerate Development of Global Health Ecosystem|website=www.businesswire.com|date=5 January 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-10-03}}
On the same day, iCarbonX announced a partnership with PatientsLikeMe, an online network for patients with chronic conditions. iCarbonX funded PatientsLikeMe with $100M with plans for the two companies to work together on genetic sequencing projects.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-05 |title=PatientsLikeMe secures $100M, partners with health data company iCarbonX |url=https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/patientslikeme-secures-100m-partners-health-data-company-icarbonx |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=MobiHealthNews |language=en}}
The company name, "iCarbonX," symbolizes the use of the internet and artificial intelligence to improve life, of which a central element is carbon.{{Cite web |date=2015-10-30 |title=Is iCarbonX the next Google in Biotech? - Business - Chinadaily.com.cn |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2015-10/30/content_22326548.htm |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=chinadaily.com.cn}} The "i" and "X" indicate the company's plans to combine the Internet and artificial intelligence to create something new.