23andMe Enlists Informed Medical Decisions to Make Independent Genetic Counseling Services Available to Customers
June 3, 2010
Following this year’s landmark FDA clearance for genetic health reports, company will use funds to fuel customer growth and further invest in its research platform
Mountain View, Calif. – June 3, 2010 – 23andMe , Inc., a leading personal genetics company, has engaged Informed Medical Decisions, Inc. (InformedDNA), a nationwide network of board-certified genetics experts, to offer independent genetic counseling services to new and existing customers of its Personal Genome Service™. “This new initiative with InformedDNA means that 23andMe customers now have the option to talk about their results with a board-certified genetic counselor who has been specially trained in 23andMe’s unique reports and processes,” said Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe President and Co-Founder. “We chose to work with InformedDNA because they are a leading national independent provider of genetic counseling services,” stated Wojcicki. “We wanted to ensure that the information our customers receive is completely objective.” 23andMe customers interested in talking with a genetic counselor from InformedDNA can choose from two levels of service. For those with general questions related to their 23andMe results, an informational Personal Genome Service (PGS) is available. Customers who want a counselor to conduct a more thorough review of their family and medical histories, and those whose results show that they carry variants with potentially serious implications, can choose Comprehensive Clinical Genetic Counseling. Determining whether the Comprehensive Clinical Genetic Counseling option is appropriate is based on national clinical guidelines for genetic counseling referral. 23andMe customers who choose to utilize the services of InformedDNA will connect with a genetic counselor by phone. Convenient appointments are available seven days a week and can be scheduled online or by calling a dedicated toll-free phone line. InformedDNA Patient Care Coordinators are available to assist customers in choosing the level of service that is right for them. All information will be kept strictly confidential. A guide to the pricing for 23andMe customers who wish to utilize the genetic counseling services is listed on InformedDNA’s website . “Informed Medical Decisions is pleased to be working with 23andMe to expand access to genetics experts, especially for people who know of or suspect they may be at risk for hereditary disease. We salute 23andMe for offering customers convenient access to our genetic counselors,” said David Patrick Nixon, Informed Medical Decisions Chief Executive Officer.
About Informed Medical Decisions, Inc. (InformedDNA) Informed Medical Decisions, Inc. (InformedDNA) InformedDNA includes the largest independent network of genetic counselors and is the only national provider whose services are a covered benefit for most individuals with commercial health insurance. Its pioneering telephonic service delivery model removes barriers to care (geography, language, cultural and clinical specialty) for patients and has been recognized by the Institute of Medicine and Surgeons Generals’ National Call to Action on Cancer for innovations and clinical excellence.
About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA clearances for genetic health reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80% of its customers electing to participate. The 23andMe research platform has generated more than 180 publications on the genetic underpinnings of a wide range of diseases. The platform also powers the 23andMe Therapeutics group, currently pursuing drug discovery programs rooted in human genetics across a spectrum of disease areas, including oncology, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases, in addition to other therapeutic areas. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.