Illumina, Warburg Pincus and Sutter Hill Ventures Form Helix

Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN), Warburg Pincus and Sutter Hill Ventures have formed Helix, a company that ams to allow consumers to discover insights into their own genomes through an ecosystem of content partners.

The company, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, received financing commitments in excess of $100m from backers including Mayo Clinic. Jay Flatley, CEO of Illumina, will serve as Chairman of the Board.

Helix will enable individuals to acquire genetic information by providing sequencing and database services for consumer samples brought through third party partners, driving the creation of an ecosystem of consumer applications. After being sequenced, individuals will be able to manage their data and explore an open marketplace of on-demand applications, provided by Helix’s partners, to gain additional insights into the genomic data that has already been acquired. By converting genetic information to digital data stored in the cloud, the company’s platform enables its partners to develop and deliver premium genomic products to consumers.
Helix also announced two collaborations with the Center for Individualized Medicine at Mayo Clinic, which is collaborating with the company to develop applications initially focused on consumer education and health-related queries and with Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®) (NYSE:LH), which  will develop and offer analysis and interpretation services, initially focused on medically actionable genetic conditions, to consumers through Helix’s platform.

FinSMEs

18/08/2015

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