A new company with about $10 million in venture backing is going live with its bid to earn cash from personalized DNA tests. 23andMe's stated mission is to advance the genetics revolution to the next level. It offers people a chance to send in a swab of saliva that can be analyzed for inherited traits and some idea of their personal disease risks--all for a cost of $999. The personalized DNA test is made available online and is expected to play a role in scientific studies regarding risk factors and disease. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki (photo [1]) is married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Google has put up about $4 million of the start-up's venture capital.
- see 23andMe's release [2] on the test
- read the report [3] from The New York Times
Related Article:
Google backs a biotech start-up. Report [4]
Genetic test seen as big step to personalized meds. Report [5]
Diagnostics tied to new drugs. Report [6]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/pages/23andme-co-founder-anne-wojcicki
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/press-release-23andme-launches-web-based-service-empowering-individuals-access-and-un
[3] http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/26/google-backed-23andme-debuts/
[4] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/google-backs-a-biotech-start-up/2007-05-23
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/genetic-test-seen-big-step-personalized-meds/2007-09-18
[6] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/diagnostics-tied-to-new-drugs/2006-01-03