Conversations with Anu Acharya: The Poetry Lover and Entrepreneur in the Field of Genetics
At Conversations at YourStory, Anu Acharya chatted on her views on genetics, life, and entrepreneurship. Originally published on YourStory.
The Love for Adventure Sport and Entrepreneurship
MapmyGenome was started in 2013 — Anu’s second venture. Her entrepreneurial journey had begun 17 years prior, in 2000, when she returned to Hyderabad from Chicago and founded Ocimum Bio Solutions, which helps scientists do their research.
“My love for adventure sports probably explains my genetic affinity towards a high-risk sport like entrepreneurship. While no one pushed me off the cliff of jobs, my conscience probably nudged me. It has been a while and I love it in the entrepreneurship valley.” — Anu Acharya
With MapmyGenome, Anu aims to ensure that people are aware of their genetic makeup and work towards preventing diseases. India doesn’t have the same access as the West — the data available on Indian genomes is limited — and that’s a gap she’s determined to close.
Bringing Genetics to Everyday Life
When asked where she sees MapmyGenome in 10 years, the poetry, literature, photography, music, and fitness enthusiast said she sees it as a household name with a revenue of over $1 billion.
MapmyGenome offers two main kinds of analysis:
Preventive solutions like Genomepatri: For someone who is generally healthy and wants to know themselves better. A kit is mailed to you; once the sample is received, lab analysis generates a report covering traits, disease predisposition, inherited conditions, and drug response. A board-certified genetic counsellor then correlates the report with your family history and lifestyle, and a personalised secondary report is sent to you with specific action items — diet, lifestyle, and screening tests.
Diagnostic solutions: For someone already diagnosed with a disease such as cancer. MapmyGenome counsels the physician and suggests appropriate molecular diagnostic tests based on the condition.
MapmyGenome also has molecular diagnostics kits specialising in tuberculosis, and a division working on infectious diseases.
Know Yourself First — Start with Your DNA
Genomepatri by MapmyGenome is India’s most comprehensive at-home DNA wellness test — screening 100+ health conditions, nutrition traits, fitness markers, drug responses, and ancestry from a simple saliva sample.
