(December 12, 2022) 

One might eat 5 times a day and not gain a single kg and one might gain weight very easily. One might take a medicine and show effective improvement and another might take the same medicine for the same illness and not improve so much. One might be more prone to a disease than another. Ever wondered why? Hyderabad-based MapMyGenome, one of India‘s top preventive genomics company, studies and helps you understand your genetics and DNA – The guiding factor of your health and fitness.

Hyderabad-based MapMyGenome, one of India‘s top preventive genomics company, studies and helps you understand your genetics and DNA – The guiding factor of your health and fitness.

Here are a few excerpts from Anu Acharya‘s interview with NewsTAP:

1. You come with experience in the field of genetics, please explain the genesis on MapMyGenome. What was the initial response of people and what is it now? We started as a pure bioinformatics and Laboratory Information Management Services (LIMS) company with our first start-up Ocimum Biosolutions in 2000. Within a few years we had acquired three international companies in Germany, the Netherlands and the USA making us one of the largest genomics service companies in the world with locations in India, Europe and the US.

It soon became an enterprise with top pharma labs using our RaaS(Research as a Service), solutions, genomics database, customised LIMS, and TB diagnostic kits. With 12+ years of experience in genomics, it was a natural progression for us to venture into preventive genomics. And MapMygenome was born in 2013 with Genomepatri, a simple non invasive, saliva based DNA test to help consumers to remain in a state of wellness. Genomepatri, Mapmygenome‘s DNA-based health and wellness solution, helps you discover your true selfie. This provides 100+ easy to read reports that contain insights about your genetic make-up, susceptibility to health conditions and how you react to medications. Using Genomepatri, design your lifestyle and proactively take charge to achieve long term health goals. This solution includes free genetic counselling and personalised recommendations. Our first company Ocimum was focused on offering services to businesses. Building something that appeals to consumers was a rather exciting transition. Our mission at Mapmygenome is to touch a 100 million lives. Being pioneers in this space, it did take a lot of education and awareness to get the product out but what is exciting is that the response has been amazing and the numbers have increased rapidly post pandemic.

2. How big was the team of MapMyGenome when it started and what is the growth story now in terms of headcount? We started with 6 people and reached 300 during Covid. We are a working team of 150 now.

We started with 6 people and reached 300 during Covid. We are a working team of 150 now.

3. How did you get the initial investment? In 2015 and 2016, we raised two small rounds from multiple investors including Mr. Ratan Tata and Rajan Anandan.

In 2015 and 2016, we raised two small rounds from multiple investors including Mr. Ratan Tata and Rajan Anandan.

https://www.newstap.in/start-up/interview-people-keen-on-preventive-healthcare-says-mapmygenome-founder-anu-acharya-1452094