Meet Roger Chen and Amit Lakhani, who started Onyx Bio to build a 'virtual immune system'; in 2026, the startup raised $8 million

Roger Chen and Amit Lakhani founded a biotechnology startup. It raised $8 million in seed funding to build what is called a "virtual immune system." It is a model designed to help researchers understand how the human immune system responds to infections, diseases and medical treatments.

Onyx Bio is based in Berkeley, California. It announced the funding on October 8, 2026. The round was led by Dimension Capital. It had participation from Haystack, Refactor Capital, Standard and Robot Ventures.

The biotechnology startup began in early 2025. The aim was to study how immune systems change over time. According to the company, nearly 1,000 people had joined its research studies by the time of its public launch.

What is Onyx Bio building?

It is well-known that the human immune system changes constantly. Infections, inflammation, aging and medicines can all affect how it works. But, much of the data used in research only captures a person's biological condition at a particular point in time.

The startup wants to address this gap. It aims to follow the same people over months and years. It collects different types of biological information and connects them with participants' clinical histories to study their immune systems change.

ALSO READ: In 2026, three founders launched an AI assistant with its own phone number, it can book flights, order groceries; the startup later reached a $300 million valuation

The company's research includes measurements of around 1,000 proteins, gene activity in individual immune cells, metabolites and genetic variation. By combining them, the startup aims to build a more detailed picture of immune responses.

Onyx describes this system as a virtual immune system, which is aimed at helping scientists understand why a disease develops, why a treatment works, and how biological changes may influence health.

All about the founders and what they do

Roger Chen is the company's co-founder and chief executive officer. Amit Lakhani is its co-founder and chief technology officer.

The company was established in early 2025 and the aim was to study human biology using repeated measurements. They did not want to just rely only on isolated laboratory experiments or one-time observations.

ALSO READ: Meet Gara Post, who helped launch The NOW Massage in 2015; 9 years later, the brand had nearly 70 boutiques and more than 170 franchise licences sold

How will the funding be used?

The funding may reportedly help the company expand its research studies, grow its biological datasets and support work aimed at turning its findings into better medicines.