How Anu Acharya’s MapmyGenome Is Decoding Genes for Healthier Lives
Originally published by Woman At Work.
What’s that one thing you never asked for but still got — and sometimes can’t be thankful enough for? Your genes are likely to top the list. Our genes, passed on from generations and mixed with new ones every now and then, are an important part of who we are. Genomics — the study of how genomes affect human development — is now being used to predict health hazards and flag future health concerns.
In other words, genomics can be described as a ‘kundali’ of your health — which is the idea behind Anu Acharya’s MapmyGenome. The company helps people identify inherited health risks and suggests practical solutions based on personalised medicine.
Where It All Started
Launched in 2013, Hyderabad-based MapmyGenome is Anu Acharya’s second startup, which uses samples to analyse any genetic risks associated with a client’s genealogy. The company’s most popular product remains Genomepatri — on the lines of ‘janampatri’ — which uses a simple swab test to predict possible genetic risk for 100+ diseases and medical conditions, ranging from diabetes to cancer to drug resistance. Once the analysis is complete, a client undergoes genomic counselling and is provided with an actionable plan for better health.
The Challenges
An alumna of IIT-Kharagpur and the University of Illinois, Acharya was recently featured in Forbes India’s ‘2018 W-Power Trailblazers’ list. The road was not easy — genomics was a field difficult to comprehend for most people, and as a woman founder she faced reservations from male investors. Nevertheless, the company secured $1.1 million pre-series A funding and then went on to bag investments worth $2 million in 2016. MapmyGenome has been clocking a compound annual growth rate of 84% in the last three years.
A Bright Future
MapmyGenome plans to touch over 100 million lives by 2030. The company has attracted A-list investors including Ratan Tata and Rajan Anandan (Managing Director, Google India), and has entered into strategic partnerships with Reliance Jio, CallHealth, and Gopichand Academy.
Decode Your Genes — Live a Healthier Life
Genomepatri by MapmyGenome is India’s most comprehensive at-home DNA wellness test — covering 100+ health conditions, nutrition, fitness, and drug response traits, with certified genetic counselling and a CAP & NABL-accredited laboratory.
