BOSTON, March 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritas Genetics, co-founded by Harvard Medical School professor and genetics pioneer Dr. George Church, today introduces Veritas myGenome, the world's first whole genome for less than $1,000, including interpretation and genetic counseling. Veritas Genetics first broke the $1,000 genome barrier in 2015 when it made whole genome sequencing available to nearly 5,000 participants in the Personal Genome Project (PGP) at Harvard Medical School. Veritas Genetics is building a platform that will make it easy for its customers and their healthcare providers to use genetic information throughout their lives, including: Veritas myGenome is breaking historic ground by making whole genome sequencing and interpretation broadly accessible. Most commercially available genetic tests offer access to only small portions of the genome through gene panels (i.e., testing specific sets of genes), genotyping (i.e., testing less than 0.1% of DNA positions scattered throughout the genome) or exome sequencing (i.e., sequencing only gene coding regions which cover less than 1.5% of the genome). Research also shows that without sequencing the whole genome, these other genetic testing approaches miss 90% or more of clinically relevant variants, which lie in parts of the genome outside of the gene coding regions.1 "Now that the whole genome is this accessible, it will replace all genetic tests ... because it is all genetic tests, and much, much more," points out Dr. Church. "The whole genome is the new standard. At this price point, there is no reason to use anything but the whole genome, especially for any tests that are close to or more than the price of our whole genome," adds Mirza Cifric, CEO and co-founder. "The whole genome is the foundation of precision medicine and a lifetime resource to maximize quality of life and longevity." The Veritas team's experience sequencing whole genomes extends over 10 years as part of the Personal Genome Project (PGP) at Harvard Medical School. In addition to Dr. Church, Veritas Genetics' Chief Scientific Officer Preston Estep is also Director for Genome Sequencing at the PGP. Dr. Joseph Thakuria, the company's Chief Medical Officer, has also served as Medical Director at the PGP. Veritas myGenome is performed in a CLIA laboratory, includes genetic counseling for clinically relevant conditions and requires a physician order. It is currently available for pre-orders in the U.S. through the company's website. Additional countries will be added in the coming months. About Veritas Genetics Veritas Genetics is a global pioneer in disease prevention through accessible genetic information. By removing barriers to genetic screening, Veritas empowers individuals and doctors to make informed lifestyle decisions that enable disease prevention and longer and healthier lives. Veritas is founded by leaders in genomics from Harvard Medical School and operates globally from its offices in the U.S., Europe and China. www.veritasgenetics.com. 1 Maurano MT, et al. Systematic localization of common disease-associated variation in regulatory DNA. Science. 2012 Sep 7;337 (6099):1190-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1222794. Epub 2012 Sep 5. PMID: 22955828. SCIENCE Media Contact Emily Pellerin [email protected] 512-669-8549 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150824/260570LOGO SOURCE Veritas Genetics http://www.veritasgenetics.com
Boston-based Veritas Genetics announced that it is offering Veritas myGenome, the world's first commercially available whole genome sequencing, including a secure digital report and app, interpretation and genetic counseling and access to physicians through its partnership with WorldCare International and WorldCare Consortium, for $999. The company said in an announcement today that it has signed licensing agreements with more than 100 companies worldwide who will provide their customers with MyGenome services over the next two years.