Radical Numerics said its new Omnii Defense model can run on a laptop with a USB gene sequencer, screening natural and AI-engineered pathogens without an internet connection.
The tool assigns each genome a 0-to-1 threat score by estimating pathogenicity, signs of AI generation and likely taxonomic group, aiming to spot risky sequences beyond exact database matches.
In a Bundibugyo virus test with the species removed from training data, Omnii still flagged 33% of sequences as pathogenic; with the whole genus removed, it flagged 22%, while non-AI tools showed essentially no risk signal.
Access is limited to vetted external testers as Radical works with national labs, government agencies and independent evaluators, and outside experts say detection remains far from proving a pathogen is dangerous or engineered.
The launch extends Radical's push in AI biology after the 2025 startup used its Omnii platform in October to design bacteriophages for a drug-resistant E. coli case, a project that also triggered adviser George Church's resignation.