Company Profile: Blueprint Genetics Brings Genetic Knowledge into Healthcare
Blueprint Genetics is a genetic diagnostics company that is based in Helsinki, San Francisco and Dubai. The company has a very comprehensive test portfolio providing more than 400 genetic tests. Blueprint Genetics wants to bring genetic knowledge into mainstream healthcare by providing high quality and cost efficient testing.
The company was founded by biologist Samuel Myllykangas and two doctors, Juha Koskenvuo and Tero-Pekka Alastalo. In 2009-2011, Myllykangas was developing a targeted sequencing method during his postdoctoral studies at Stanford University in the United States. The test uses a molecular biology approach called ‘Oligonucleotide-Selective Sequencing’ to efficiently analyze patients’ DNA.
Koskenvuo and Alastalo were occupying the neighboring laboratory. They both recognized the benefits of the new technology in clinical use, as many diseases are the result of hereditary changes in the DNA. The trio founded Blueprint Genetics when they returned to Finland in 2012.
When a patient or a family is suspected to have a hereditary disease, their doctor takes a blood sample and delivers it to Blueprint Genetics. The company analyses the sample and sends the results to the doctor via a web service. The results can be used to determine the right treatment for the patient and to better understand the development of the disease.
Blueprint Genetics stands out among its competitors by offering a high diagnostic hit rate, fast lead times and cost-efficiency combined with clinician-friendly analyses. Their tests take normally three weeks to complete, compared to several months by some other companies.
In 2016, Blueprint Genetics was chosen as one of the top 20 most promising Finnish startups. The company works with more than 250 hospitals in 25 countries. It wants to focus especially on the U.S. markets, and it has had an office in the U.S. since 2014.
CEO Tommi Lehtonen says that the future of the company looks very good. “In 2016 the industry has taken a big leap. More and more tests have become available, the quality of the tests has improved and the cost of genetic testing has dropped. We feel that we have contributed to this development and we are proud of it.”
More information: http://blueprintgenetics.com/(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)