Nucleus Genomics, a next-generation consumer genetic testing and analysis company, has netted $14 million in funding. The investment round was led by Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six.
Stellar list of investors
A lineup of investors across technology, healthcare, and media, including Founders Fund, Adrian Aoun (CEO, Forward Health), Brent Saunders (former CEO, Allergan), Patrick Hsu (Bioengineering Professor, UC Berkeley), Hugo Barra (CEO, Detect), Austen Allred (CEO, Bloom Institute of Technology), Packy McCormick (Founder, Not Boring), Shrug Capital, Alexandra Botez (influencer), Anthony Pompliano, and many others participated in the round.
The proceeds of this round will help Nucleus Genomics bolster its scientific and engineering teams. They are continuing to set up the computational and physical infrastructure required to analyse whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data at scale, customise disease and trait reports, and send genetic testing kits to users.
“We want people to see all their data — their whole-genome sequence, blood tests, doctors’ reports, sleep cycle, running duration — their entire health story in one place,” said Lasse Folkersen, Ph.D., Nucleus’ Chief Scientific Officer. “But most importantly, they will see how their daily life decisions, combined with their genetics, influence their traits and risk for disease. That’s where our algorithms and scientific expertise play a critical role.”
“Nucleus is reimagining the DTC genetic analysis experience for people of all ages, across all places,” said Caio Hachem, Nucleus’ Chief Operations Officer. “Our team, which consists of people across the globe, reflects the diversity we want to see in our user base.”
Redefines DTC genetic testing
Nucleus Genomics was founded by Kian Sadeghi in 2021 redefines DTC genetic testing. Its DTC genetic testing platform provides innovative genetic risk and disposition score analyses on an extensive number of diseases and traits by leveraging whole-genome sequencing (WGS).
By combining polygenic scores with traditional rare variant DNA analysis, the company provides comprehensive assessments of genetic disposition across a myriad of diseases and traits.
What does it do?
Nucleus’ mission is to empower people to take agency over their health so no one dies from preventable diseases. It bridges the gap between people, doctors, and scientists to help discoveries, therapies, and cures find their way to people faster.
Nucleus provides WGS genetic testing kits for users to receive rare variant analysis and polygenic scores across a wide variety of diseases and traits, ranging from breast cancer risk to longevity disposition. Individuals who have done DTC microarray genetic testing from companies such as 23andMe can upload their genotyped DNA on the Nucleus platform to receive a subset of the possible genetic analyses, centering around polygenic scores.
These scores are calculated by combining the effects of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of DNA letters that vary from one individual to another.
