ANDE

About ANDE

ANDE (formerly Network Biosystems) stands as a pivotal force in the field of Rapid DNA analysis, providing fully automated, field-deployable systems for human identification. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Richard Selden, the company was born from his vision to make DNA identification faster and more accessible to enhance public safety. Dr. Selden, who holds both an M.D. and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Harvard, identified the critical bottleneck that conventional laboratory DNA testing, with its weeks-to-months turnaround time, posed for law enforcement and other critical operations. This insight led to the creation of the "Rapid DNA" concept and the development of the ANDE system. The company has received support from U.S. government bodies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI.

ANDE's core business revolves around its integrated Rapid DNA Analysis System, which consists of the ANDE 6C instrument, a single-use consumable chip, and automated expert system software. This "swab in-profile out" technology automates the entire process of DNA extraction, amplification, and analysis, delivering an interpretable genetic profile in under two hours without the need for a technical operator or a laboratory environment. The system is ruggedized to military specifications, making it portable for use at crime scenes, disaster sites, border crossings, and military locations. The company generates revenue through the sale of these instruments and the recurring sale of its consumable, single-use BioChipSet Cassettes. Its primary clients are government and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, military units, and immigration and customs enforcement. The technology has been used in various high-profile cases, including the identification of victims from the 2018 Camp Fire and the 2019 Conception boat fire in California.

The ANDE system was the first of its kind to receive FBI approval for direct upload of DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System (NDIS) CODIS database. The technology is designed to process multiple sample types, including buccal swabs and forensic samples from crime scenes, on different specialized chips (A-Chip and I-Chip). The generated DNA ID is based on 20 FBI CODIS loci, which ensures anonymity by revealing no information about an individual's appearance, medical conditions, or behavioral traits, thus ensuring objectivity in investigations. This capability provides actionable intelligence at the point of need, significantly shortening the chain of custody and enabling law enforcement to manage and direct investigations in near real-time.