Veritas Intercontinental

Veritas Intercontinental operates as a specialized entity in the genetic and genomic diagnostics sector, aiming to translate complex genetic data into actionable health information. The firm was established as a spin-off from the U.S.-based Veritas Genetics in 2018 to expand genetic services across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Japan. The parent company, Veritas Genetics, was co-founded in 2014 by a team that included renowned geneticist George M. Church, a Harvard Medical School professor who was instrumental in the Human Genome Project, and serial biotech entrepreneur Mirza Cifric. Cifric, who served as CEO, brought his experience from previous ventures like AbVitro Inc. and Solmap Pharma. The other co-founders were Preston Estep, who served as Chief Scientific Officer and has a background in genetics from Harvard, and Jonathan Zhao.

The company's business model centers on making whole genome sequencing (WGS) more accessible and affordable for both direct consumers and healthcare providers. Revenue is generated through the sale of genetic testing services, which range from comprehensive WGS to more targeted panels. A key milestone for Veritas Genetics was breaking the $1,000 price barrier for whole genome sequencing, later offering promotional pricing as low as $199, which garnered significant media attention. The company provides its services through an online platform where physicians and consumers can order tests and receive results via a user-friendly digital portal and app. Clients include individuals seeking proactive health insights, as well as healthcare institutions and professionals who integrate these genetic services into clinical practice through partnerships and bulk purchasing agreements.

Veritas offers a portfolio of services focused on preventive and perinatal medicine. Its flagship product, myGenome, is a WGS and interpretation service that provides insights on inherited risks for conditions like cancer and cardiovascular diseases, carrier status for hereditary diseases, and pharmacogenomic data on reactions to specific medications. Beyond WGS, the company offers exome-based testing and specific services for maternal-fetal medicine, such as non-invasive prenatal testing. The service includes genetic counseling to help customers and physicians interpret the results and formulate action plans. In March 2022, both Veritas Genetics and Veritas Intercontinental were acquired by LetsGetChecked, a global at-home healthcare solutions company, with the goal of integrating Veritas's deep genomic capabilities into a broader diagnostic and virtual care platform.

Keywords: whole genome sequencing, genetic diagnostics, personal genomics, preventive medicine, perinatal medicine, pharmacogenomics, direct-to-consumer genetics, DNA analysis, hereditary disease screening, clinical genomics