Sorenson Genomics Celebrates 10 Years as Pioneer and Pacesetter for Commercial DNA Testing Industry

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sorenson Genomics marks the start of a second decade in the booming business category it helped create when it established a commercial genetic genealogy testing laboratory in November 2000.

“At the time, we used the same method the FBI used for profiling human DNA: we looked at 13 genome locations. Through applied research, we now can analyze over 130 unique locations.”

Since then, the Utah company has played a central role in boosting the public profile of genetic testing from unknown to superstar status. Sorenson Genomics’ commercial DNA testing innovations have not only enabled tens of thousands of people to find previously unknown living relatives and ancestors, but have also created a new over-the-counter retail paradigm for genetic testing with the Identigene DNA Paternity Test Kit. In addition, its highly regarded DNA forensics casework has helped bring closure to the families of victims of crimes and disasters around the world.

“When we launched in 2000, very little DNA testing was available to the public and no commercial laboratory was analyzing DNA for genetic ancestry purposes,” said Doug Fogg, Sorenson Genomics COO. “At the time, we used the same method the FBI used for profiling human DNA: we looked at 13 genome locations. Through applied research, we now can analyze over 130 unique locations.”

In 2001, Sorenson Genomics purchased GeneTree, the first company to offer online direct-to-consumer DNA testing. In 2002, it launched Relative Genetics, a private brand direct-to-consumer service for genetic ancestry. By 2004, Sorenson Genomics had earned an enviable global reputation and was sought out by the Thai government to assist in identifying victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

The Salt Lake laboratory organized Sorenson Forensics in 2006, hiring an experienced forensics science team. Advanced DNA identification services grew quickly from strong demand by law enforcement and the legal industry. Today, the business unit works with more than 100 agencies and helped create Senegal and Nigerian national forensic DNA labs.

Sorenson Genomics’ lab performs all the DNA testing for Ancestry.com, the world’s largest commercial family history resource. Sorenson Genomics is also the official DNA lab for African Ancestry, which co-produced the acclaimed “African American Lives” PBS television series tracing the ancestries of Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee and Quincy Jones.

A banner year was 2007. In June, Sorenson Genomics acquired Identigene of Houston, Texas, and later that year launched the first over-the-counter genetic test ever retailed at major drugstore chains—the Identigene DNA Paternity Test Kit—it was one of the top news stories of the year. The do-it-yourself cheek-swab test kit is now carried in more than 16,900 stores in all 50 states, with more than 150,000 units sold.

Today it is one of the most rigorous and highly accredited DNA testing labs in the world. It was the world’s first laboratory to be certified under ISO 17025 for genetic ancestry testing, and it holds multiple accreditations, such as the AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) for parentage and familial relationship testing services, ASCLD (American Society of Laboratory Directors) for forensic DNA casework services, NYSDOH (New York State Department of Health) for parentage and identity testing services, and CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) for diagnostic testing services.

After a decade of consistent growth, what does the future hold? “More innovative testing services, in more markets – both domestic and international,” said Fogg. “In addition, the niche services in providing laboratory validation and consulting to improve operational efficiencies developed by Sorenson Forensics are in high demand around the world.”

“In terms of new products, we will be offering more over-the-counter kits, like our Identigene DNA Paternity Test Kit,” Fogg said. “We expect our second decade to be consistent with the first in terms of growth through innovation, but at an accelerated pace.”

About Sorenson Genomics

Sorenson Genomics (www.sorensongenomics.com) is a best-in-class DNA testing laboratory with national and international accreditations. In fact, it was the world's first laboratory accredited for genetic genealogy testing services. Sorenson Genomics provides a wide spectrum of contract services (including DNA extraction and purification, biological forensics, parentage and familial relationship analysis, drug screening, disaster victim identification, ancestral and population assessment, and custom test development) to clients throughout the world.