Veritas Genetics Partners with Fabric Genomics to Accelerate Adoption of Personal Whole-Genome Sequencing

Recently, VCBeat (WeChat: vcbeat) learned that Veritas Genetics and Fabric Genomics, a genomics data services provider, announced major news at the ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting: the two companies have reached a partnership to leverage Fabric Genomics’ new rapid genomic data annotation solution, Annotation, to further advance the market adoption of Veritas Genetics’ personal whole-genome sequencing product, myGenome.

Yizhen Biotechnology is likely familiar to many, and VCBeat has previously published reports on the company. This Harvard-affiliated genetics firm was founded in 2014 by Nobel Laureate (2016) and pioneer of personal genomics George Church, his student and Harvard Medical Doctor Preston Estep, bioscience entrepreneur Mirza Cifric, and young Chinese scientist Zhao Yining. The company aims to improve human life and health through genetic screening and gene sequencing. In 2016, it was listed among MIT’s “50 Smartest Companies.”

In the second half of 2016, Yizhen Biotechnology launched myGenome, a personal whole-genome sequencing product, which was also the world’s first personal whole-genome sequencing service priced under $1,000. In addition to gene sequencing, the company provides gene annotation and telephone-based genetic counseling services. In July 2016, the company established an office in China. Subsequently, in October, it secured $30 million in Series B financing from Lilly Asia Ventures, Trustbridge Partners, and Simcere Pharmaceutical.

Another leading player in the global genomics field is Fabric Genomics. Headquartered in Oakland, Fabric Genomics is a genomic data analytics company that provides end-to-end genomic data analysis, annotation, management, and clinical interpretation services for clinical and hospital laboratories, national sequencing projects, and life sciences companies.

In 2009, Martin Reese, Edward Kiruluta, and John Stuelpnagel founded Omicia, the predecessor of Fabric Genomics. As a leading provider of genomics and clinical report interpretation services, the company participated in the UK’s 100,000 Genomes Project in 2013. By 2016, Omicia had raised over $30 million in total funding. In March 2017, Omicia was officially renamed Fabric Genomics and launched its genomic data analysis platform.

The company’s analytical technology begins with raw data analysis, supporting the input of any NGS files (such as FASTQ, BAM, and VCF). It enables rapid and efficient annotation of high-throughput panel, exome, and whole-genome data, while providing genetic counseling services for clinical reporting on genetic diseases and oncology. Currently, Fabric Genomics’ advanced data solutions are used by more than 1,000 academic institutions and clinical laboratories worldwide.

Annotation is the latest gene annotation solution launched by Fabric Genomics. By deeply integrating genomics with other omics data, it enables multi-dimensional analysis and prediction of data, while the platform also incorporates extensive literature resources. With Fabric Annotation, researchers can perform automated annotation on panels, exomes, and whole genomes. To ensure the comprehensiveness and cutting-edge nature of the data, Fabric Genomics updates its database monthly.

Currently, Yizhen Bio’s myGenome utilizes Fabric Genomics’ annotation platform. This platform can reduce whole-genome annotation time to under 10 minutes, significantly lowering the time cost of sequencing. Matt Tindall, CEO of Fabric Genomics, stated, “By combining whole-genome sequencing with gene annotation, myGenome is poised for new breakthroughs.”

Diego Martinez, Head of Bioinformatics at Yizhen Biotech, stated, “Fabric Genomics’ automated annotation enables seamless integration into our workflows. Simple and efficient, they make complex data cleaning and analysis easy and even enjoyable, making them an outstanding partner.”

Yizhen Bio has always centered its strategy and direction on individual whole-genome sequencing. Fabric Genomics’ strengths in data analysis complement this approach perfectly. Diego Martinez revealed that Fabric Genomics’ technology can help them save significant manpower and time, and through this collaboration, they will establish closer ties.