Although patients have more and more genetic testing options, they are still difficult to control. Most consumer-oriented tests can provide a limited amount of health information, and the results are sometimes difficult to interpret.
Genome Medical, a start-up company Hope to provide genetic testing through telemedicine Visit, and recently raised 60 million US dollars in funding. It also plans to acquire GeneMatters, a genetic consulting practice.
Patients can pay for a virtual consultation with a genetic counselor, or in some cases, their insurance may cover the visit. After determining whether genetic testing is suitable for the person, they can obtain a test kit at home or enter a laboratory. The counselor will also guide them to understand the results.
Genome Medical also works with healthcare providers and insurance companies to make testing easier for people. For example, it has established partnerships with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Cigna.
CEO Lisa Alderson wrote in an email that through the acquisition of GeneMatters, Genome Medical will add more than 20 genetic consultants to its team. It will have more than 100 clinicians, including primary care doctors, medical geneticists, pharmacists and genetic consultants.
Eli Casdin’s company Casdin Capital led the C round of financing. He said that the merger of the two startups will become “a clear leader in the field of genomics and digital health.”
GV and Amgen Ventures also joined this round of financing as new investors. Previous backers include Illumina Ventures and Kaiser Permanente.
Eli Casdin, Casdin Capital’s director of life science research Shaun Rodriguez, and GeneMatters co-founder and president Jill Davies will join the company’s board of directors.
Genome Medical also plans to use additional funds to build technical solutions for the genomic medicine program and add more services for doctors, such as test ordering functions and guideline-based care plans.
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