Navigenics
Encyclopedia
Navigenics, Inc. is a privately held personal genomics
company, based in Foster City, California
, that uses genetic testing
to help people determine their individual risk for dozens of health conditions.
The company is part of the growing personal genomics
industry, which offers genetic scans and analysis to individuals and physicians for a variety of applications. Some businesses have touted their tests as genealogical tools, however, Navigenics’ focus is on the potential health benefits that can be gained from being aware of personal genetic information
.
As part of the genetic testing
process, a range of DNA analysis technologies are employed to identify millions of genetic marker
s which can predispose the body to diseases. The rapid cost reduction in DNA microarray
technology and the exponential growth in genetic research following the Human Genome Project
have helped make these technologies more affordable to everyday consumers.
, M.D., a prostate cancer
specialist who is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California and Director of the USC Center for Applied Molecular Medicine and the USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center in Los Angeles
, and Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D., a human geneticist on the faculty of the Translational Genomics Research Institute
.
The company officially launched in November 2007. On April 8, 2008, Navigenics began selling its genetic testing services, which include state-of-the-art genetic analysis
that assesses your risk for a variety of common health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancer
s and celiac disease.
With the launch of Health Compass, Navigenics opened a temporary exhibition space in the SoHo
district of New York City
, where the company hosted events and lectures about personal genomics
and healthcare. News of the product launch and sometimes first-hand accounts of Health Compass users were reported in a number of publications including the Los Angeles Times and Wired Magazine.
The company also launched an online portal allowing doctors to access the genomic information of consenting patients. The portal allows the physician to integrate patients’ genetic information into personalized health plans designed to help diagnose early or prevent a number of health conditions.
In July 2009, Navigenics lowered the price of the Health Compass comprehensive genetic test to $999.
. The state regulators asked the companies to prove a physician was involved in the ordering of each test and that state clinical laboratory licensing requirements were being fulfilled. The controversy sparked a flurry of interest in the relatively new field, as well as a number of media articles, including an opinion piece on Wired.com entitled, “Attention, California Health Dept.: My DNA Is My Data.” In August 2008, Navigenics and 23andMe received state licenses allowing the companies to continue to do business in California.
In October 2008, it was announced that Scripps Translational Science Institute was partnering with Navigenics, Microsoft
Corp. and Affymetrix
in a first-of-its kind research study to assess how people respond to personal genetic testing. The 20-year study, known as the Scripps Genomic Health Initiative
, will involve up to 10,000 participants, and will analyze whether they make positive lifestyle changes that benefit their health after receiving their genetic test results.
In July, 2009, Navigenics announced it was reducing the price of its comprehensive genetic testing services to $999.
Said Dr. Eric J. Topol, director of Scripps Translational Science Institute and principal investigator of the study:
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
company, based in Foster City, California
Foster City, California
Foster City is an affluent planned city located in San Mateo County, California, 94404. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 30,567. Forbes ranked Foster City #10 on their 2009 list of America's Top 25 Towns to Live Well. Money has also recognized Foster City multiple times as...
, that uses genetic testing
Genetic testing
Genetic testing is among the newest and most sophisticated of techniques used to test for genetic disorders which involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself. Other genetic tests include biochemical tests for such gene products as enzymes and other proteins and for microscopic...
to help people determine their individual risk for dozens of health conditions.
The company is part of the growing personal genomics
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
industry, which offers genetic scans and analysis to individuals and physicians for a variety of applications. Some businesses have touted their tests as genealogical tools, however, Navigenics’ focus is on the potential health benefits that can be gained from being aware of personal genetic information
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
.
As part of the genetic testing
Genetic testing
Genetic testing is among the newest and most sophisticated of techniques used to test for genetic disorders which involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself. Other genetic tests include biochemical tests for such gene products as enzymes and other proteins and for microscopic...
process, a range of DNA analysis technologies are employed to identify millions of genetic marker
Genetic marker
A genetic marker is a gene or DNA sequence with a known location on a chromosome that can be used to identify cells, individuals or species. It can be described as a variation that can be observed...
s which can predispose the body to diseases. The rapid cost reduction in DNA microarray
DNA microarray
A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome...
technology and the exponential growth in genetic research following the Human Genome Project
Human Genome Project
The Human Genome Project is an international scientific research project with a primary goal of determining the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up DNA, and of identifying and mapping the approximately 20,000–25,000 genes of the human genome from both a physical and functional...
have helped make these technologies more affordable to everyday consumers.
History
Navigenics was co-founded in 2006 by David AgusDavid Agus
David Agus, is an American physician and a co-founder of Navigenics, a personal genetic testing company, and Oncology.com, the largest online cancer resource and virtual community and Applied Proteomics...
, M.D., a prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
specialist who is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California and Director of the USC Center for Applied Molecular Medicine and the USC Westside Prostate Cancer Center in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D., a human geneticist on the faculty of the Translational Genomics Research Institute
Translational Genomics Research Institute
The Translational Genomics Research Institute , is a non-profit genomics research institute established in 2002 by Jeffrey Trent, the founding Scientific Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute , in Phoenix, Arizona, United States.TGen seeks to employ genetic discoveries to improve...
.
The company officially launched in November 2007. On April 8, 2008, Navigenics began selling its genetic testing services, which include state-of-the-art genetic analysis
Genetic analysis
Genetic analysis can be used generally to describe methods both used in and resulting from the sciences of genetics and molecular biology, or to applications resulting from this research....
that assesses your risk for a variety of common health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
s and celiac disease.
With the launch of Health Compass, Navigenics opened a temporary exhibition space in the SoHo
SoHo
SoHo is a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City, notable for being the location of many artists' lofts and art galleries, and also, more recently, for the wide variety of stores and shops ranging from trendy boutiques to outlets of upscale national and international chain stores...
district of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where the company hosted events and lectures about personal genomics
Personal genomics
Personal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
and healthcare. News of the product launch and sometimes first-hand accounts of Health Compass users were reported in a number of publications including the Los Angeles Times and Wired Magazine.
The company also launched an online portal allowing doctors to access the genomic information of consenting patients. The portal allows the physician to integrate patients’ genetic information into personalized health plans designed to help diagnose early or prevent a number of health conditions.
In July 2009, Navigenics lowered the price of the Health Compass comprehensive genetic test to $999.
Controversy in California
In June 2008, California health regulators sent cease-and-desist letters to Navigenics and 12 other genetic testing firms, including 23andMe23andMe
23andMe is a privately held personal genomics and biotechnology company based in Mountain View, California that is developing new methods and technologies that will enable consumers to understand their own genetic information...
. The state regulators asked the companies to prove a physician was involved in the ordering of each test and that state clinical laboratory licensing requirements were being fulfilled. The controversy sparked a flurry of interest in the relatively new field, as well as a number of media articles, including an opinion piece on Wired.com entitled, “Attention, California Health Dept.: My DNA Is My Data.” In August 2008, Navigenics and 23andMe received state licenses allowing the companies to continue to do business in California.
The future of genetic testing
Changes have been occurring swiftly in the burgeoning new genetic testing industry. As has been seen with other technologies, the price of some gene tests has been coming down.In October 2008, it was announced that Scripps Translational Science Institute was partnering with Navigenics, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Corp. and Affymetrix
Affymetrix
Affymetrix is a company that manufactures DNA microarrays; it is based in Santa Clara, California, United States. The company was founded by Dr. Stephen Fodor in 1992. It began as a unit in Affymax N.V...
in a first-of-its kind research study to assess how people respond to personal genetic testing. The 20-year study, known as the Scripps Genomic Health Initiative
Scripps Genomic Health Initiative
The Scripps Genomic Health Initiative is a ground-breaking study aimed at understanding how personal genetic testing influences and improves health.Led by Dr...
, will involve up to 10,000 participants, and will analyze whether they make positive lifestyle changes that benefit their health after receiving their genetic test results.
In July, 2009, Navigenics announced it was reducing the price of its comprehensive genetic testing services to $999.
Said Dr. Eric J. Topol, director of Scripps Translational Science Institute and principal investigator of the study:
"Genome scans give people considerable information about their DNA and risk of disease, yet questions have been raised if these tests are ready for widespread public use. Our study will prospectively evaluate the effect that state-of-the-art gene scans have on people’s lifestyles, behaviors, diets and psyches."
See also
- Full Genome SequencingFull genome sequencingFull genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
- Genetic testingGenetic testingGenetic testing is among the newest and most sophisticated of techniques used to test for genetic disorders which involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself. Other genetic tests include biochemical tests for such gene products as enzymes and other proteins and for microscopic...
- Personal genomicsPersonal genomicsPersonal genomics is the branch of genomics concerned with the sequencing and analysis of the genome of an individual. The genotyping stage employs different techniques, including single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis chips , or partial or full genome sequencing...
- Genetic counselingGenetic counselingGenetic counseling or traveling is the process by which patients or relatives, at risk of an inherited disorder, are advised of the consequences and nature of the disorder, the probability of developing or transmitting it, and the options open to them in management and family planning...
- Genomic counselingGenomic counselingGenomic counseling is the process by which a person gets informed about his or her genome. In contrast to genetic counseling, which focuses on Mendelian diseases and typically involves person-to-person communication with a medical genetics expert, genomic counseling is not limited to currently...
- Genetic Information Nondiscrimination ActGenetic Information Nondiscrimination ActThe Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 , is an Act of Congress in the United States designed to prohibit the improper use of genetic information in health insurance and employment...
- PharmacogenomicsPharmacogenomicsPharmacogenomics is the branch of pharmacology which deals with the influence of genetic variation on drug response in patients by correlating gene expression or single-nucleotide polymorphisms with a drug's efficacy or toxicity...
- deCODE geneticsDecode GeneticsdeCODE genetics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Reykjavík, Iceland. The company was founded in 1996 to identify human genes associated with common diseases using population studies, and apply the knowledge gained to guide the development of candidate drugs...
- David AgusDavid AgusDavid Agus, is an American physician and a co-founder of Navigenics, a personal genetic testing company, and Oncology.com, the largest online cancer resource and virtual community and Applied Proteomics...
- Dietrich StephanDietrich StephanDr. Dietrich Stephan, Ph.D. is an American human geneticist and co-founder of Navigenics, a personal genetics company. He is also the President and CEO of the Ignite Institute for Individualized Health.- Early life :...