SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Now based in the genomics center of the Silicon Valley, the consumer genomic startup, AWAKENS, Inc., hails from Tokyo, Japan. Though consumer genomics is just picking up the pace, the founders at AWAKENS envision a future in which every human owns and can easily access their whole genome data. AWAKENS was founded with the goal of empowering each individual to build a smarter and healthier lifestyle based on their genetic makeup, and to transform consumer genomics.
AWAKENS has launched their first consumer product GENOMIC EXPLORER (https://genomicexplorer.io). The service is currently free for genome data holders, such as those who have taken ancestry genetic tests. New users can order their whole genome sequence through the website (https://genomicexplorer.io). Users with whole genome data will also be able to upload their data soon.
Visualize Your Inner Universe with “GENOMIC EXPLORER”
Full access to whole genome data and reliable information on how to interpret the data is AWAKENS’ top value proposition. Most genetic testing services today read only 0.03% of the genome. GENOMIC EXPLORER reads and visualizes 100%.
AWAKENS strives to visualize what existing genetic testing services have abstracted in their genetic reports. You can browse through a comprehensive visual representation of your genome and learn about 100+ traits: this tool connects your genome data to an in-house annotation database, which tells you how specific regions of the genome can be understood. Traits include personality, intelligence, and nutrition. The only information serving the purpose of science education are released in the U.S for now. Information on medical traits, such as the risk for a certain disease, will be provided in the future as partnerships with healthcare institutions and healthcare companies are established.
“Today for the genome is like the 90s for the Internet. Although technological innovations made the Internet accessible for many, applications for daily use had not been developed. Everyone was scrambling to figure out how to make the best use of the Internet,” explained Tomohiro Takano, CEO and Co-Founder of AWAKENS, Inc. “Through partnerships with many industries, we at AWAKENS are striving to unlock the vast potential of the whole genome. We want to develop an ecosystem where anyone can access valuable information, actionable insights, and related services based on their genetic information.”
The field of genomics
15 years ago, sequencing the whole genome cost 3 billion USD. 5-10 years from now, the price will drop to a few hundred USD. Against the backdrop of these circumstances, we can expect to gain access to a wide range of consumer genomics services in our daily lives, spanning medicine, healthcare, nutrition, fitness, and education. Soon, pharmacogenomics will inform drug efficacy and risk of serious side effects at the individual level. Beyond medical applications, academic research in fitness and genomics, nutrigenomics, and educational genomics are booming. The potential for consumer applications will only grow from here.
About AWAKENS, Inc.
AWAKENS is a genomic software company transforming the landscape of consumer genomics. They empower consumers with easily accessible insights of their own genome data, and diversify consumer genomics services by providing an API toolkit for existing services to provide personalized solutions tailored to each person’s genetic makeup. Founded in January 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, AWAKENS is currently located in the genomic center in Silicon Valley. The company’s products include the consumer-facing GENOMIC EXPLORER and the business-facing GENOME LINK.
Awakens is funded by private corporations and angel investors (as of Aug 2017):
- 500 Startups Japan https://500startups.jp
- M3, Inc. https://corporate.m3.com/en/
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Japanese Organization for Medical Device Development
https://jomdd.com/company_en/ - Tomihisa Kamata (TomyK)
- Tsunegoro Nishino (MRSO, Inc.)
- Hiroaki Kitano (Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.)