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Navigenics Launches Whole-Genome Scan

April 8th, 2008 posted by Andrew Yates

Navigenics LogoApril 08, 2008 — Today, Silicon Valley startup Navigenics officially joins competitors deCODEme and 23andMe by launching its own personal genome scanning service.

Navigenics emphasizes the clinical aspects of genome scanning including genetic counseling and medical implications. While Navigenics uses the same technique as deCODEme and 23andMe, a chip which tests for one million SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, or “single-letter mutations”), Navigenics claims to better interpret the results. Disease risks are calculated by “life time risk” rather than average risk, and 24/7 genetic counseling is provided. Navigenics’ price reflects their interpretation confidence: $2500 for a one year membership and $250 per year thereafter as compared to $1000 one time for deCODEme and 23andMe.

One benefit of Navigenics that its competitors do not offer: Navigenics freezes your DNA sample to be retested as genomics testing advances, perhaps two to three times per year according to Mari Baker, Navigenic’s CEO. deCODEme and 23andme offer more raw information, but do not pledge to retest. Another benefit is an online primer for physicians which a Navigenics user’s health care provider could reference to help interpret test results.

Navigenics has positioned itself as less of a novelty test for genomics enthusiasts and more as an ongoing investment in personal medicine. With lead investors including Kleiner Perkins, MDV, and Sequoia Capital, Navigenics is a strong new competitor in the previously non-existent personal genomics industry.

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5 Comments

  1. Kevin said,
    April 8, 2008 @ 6:20 am

    Will be interesting to see how three companies offering essentially the same physical product will differentiate themselves.

    Navigenics is selling an expensive unlimited genetic counseling service with the same genetic test as everyone else.

    23andme has “social networking” features.

    And deCODEme also exists.

  2. Andrew Yates said,
    April 8, 2008 @ 6:31 am

    There are more than three companies selling SNP chip tests, but these are the three leaders.

    SeqWright, for example, though I have heard nothing positive about this company. My inability to know positive news about SeqWright doesn’t necessarily make them inferior, but others including David Hamilton at VentureBeat are not impressed.

    My personal opinion is that deCODEme, as part of deCODE, should be the leader as they are the only company with any capacity to conduct real research. However, as this is a consumer market, I feel that this is is a first marketing game, and deCODE does not do good consumer marketing in my opinion. Maybe that will change. I hope so.

    Remember, deCODE is a publicly traded company with a track record of published genetic research, and both 23andMe and Navigenics are startups with product release histories still measured in days.

  3. Navigenics Open For Business » The Genetic Genealogist said,
    April 8, 2008 @ 7:33 am

    [...] ThinkGene - Navigenics Launches Whole-Genome Scan [...]

  4. ella said,
    April 8, 2008 @ 12:56 pm

    Agreed, although deCODE also has a history of losing copious amounts of money and has appeared to be on some kind of a downward financial spiral for years, I think it’s clear that 23andMe and Navigenics have the most potential to gain broader appeal.

  5. Kevin said,
    April 8, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

    >I think it’s clear that 23andMe and Navigenics have the most potential to gain broader appeal.

    The real test will come when Big Pharma/Healthcare start getting into genomics. I wonder if they will partner with one of the upstarts or do it themselves.

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