The startup is creating Africa's first digital biobank by integrating genetic testing with encryption technology to establish secure bio-identities. This approach enables users to manage, interpret, and safeguard their genetic information, addressing the need for privacy and control over personal genetic data.
Funding
$12.5M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Individuals often lack accessible and secure methods to manage and understand their genetic information, hindering their ability to make informed health and lifestyle decisions. Existing genetic testing services may not adequately protect user data or provide comprehensive insights into various health predispositions and ancestral origins.
Solution
BioCertica provides a direct-to-consumer genetic testing service that empowers individuals to manage, interpret, and safeguard their genetic data through a secure, mobile-accessible platform. By analyzing 800,000 genetic markers and utilizing Polygenic Risk Scoring (PRS) to enhance the data to encompass 2 million markers, BioCertica delivers comprehensive reports on health conditions, fitness predispositions, ancestral origins, and traits. Users collect a saliva sample at home, send it to BioCertica's lab for expert processing, and receive personalized results via an intuitive mobile app within 6-8 weeks. The platform employs encryption technology and bank-grade security measures to ensure data privacy and protection, giving users control over their genetic information.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes individuals in South Africa interested in understanding their genetic predispositions for health, wellness, and ancestry, as well as health-conscious individuals seeking personalized insights for optimizing their lifestyle and managing chronic conditions.
Features
- Analysis of 800,000 genetic markers enhanced to 2 million markers using Polygenic Risk Scoring (PRS)
- Comprehensive reports covering health, fitness, ancestry, traits, and pharmacogenomics
- Secure mobile app for accessing and managing personalized DNA test results
- End-to-end encryption and bank-grade security to protect user data
- Option to unlock additional reports and insights within the app at a fraction of the initial cost
- Integration with TAILORBLEND for personalized nutrition recommendations based on DNA results
- Option for practitioners to review patient results via a secure practitioner portal
- Raw DNA data digitization and encryption with physical samples destroyed after processing