Veritas Genetics, co-founded by Harvard Medical School professor and genetics pioneer Dr. George Church, announced Thursday at Scripps’ the Future of Genomic Medicine conference the introduction of myGenome – the first whole genome test for less than $1000.
myGenome is unique because of its all encompassing level of information but also because it comes with genetic counseling via video counseling so that results can be accurately assessed instead of leaving that up to the consumer or a physician.
Other commercial tests only explore a small portion of the genome with gene panels – myGenome would essentially replace the need for any of those individually.
As CEO and co-founder Mizra Cifric explained in an interview at the conference, what companies like 23andMe are doing is “interesting,” but doesn’t come close to the information you get from looking at the entire genome, which he says is the foundation of precision medicine.
Veritas first made whole genome sequencing available to 5,000 participants with its Personal Genome Project (PGP) at Harvard Medical School.
The platform will now allow patients to have access to physicians (due to a partnership with WorldCare International and WorldCare Consortium) at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic and others to use the information gathered and get clinical feedback.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
myGenome is now available for pre-order.
