Corporate Vision

Many chronic and life-threatening diseases have a genetic basis, but current technology cannot analyze the human genome in a sufficiently complete or cost-effective manner to enable researchers to understand entire disease pathways. This incomplete understanding of the genetic interactions involved in disease limits healthcare outcomes by hindering the development of tailored drugs, diagnostics, and advanced disease prevention techniques.

Origin of an Idea

Complete Genomics was established in March 2006 by Dr. Clifford Reid, Dr. Radoje Drmanac, and Mr. John Curson, who shared a vision to provide high-throughput, affordable, and complete genome sequencing of human populations. Their goal was to enable commercial-scale research of the genetic mechanisms underlying drug responses and complex diseases, ensuring important advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic markets.

Company Progress

Complete Genomics has developed a novel approach to sequencing human DNA. The Company combines its proprietary third-generation DNA sequencing technology with its high-performance computing capabilities to deliver low-cost, high-quality genomic data. The company delivers this technology as a service to customers via its high-throughput human genome center in Mountain View, CA.

Complete Genomics sequenced its first genome in early 2009 and that data is publicly available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Since then, Complete Genomics has sequenced and delivered genomes to important collaborators in academic, pharmaceutical and government research institutions. It has also had three genomes published in Science (Science 1 January 2010: Vol. 327. no. 5961, pp. 78 – 81). Furthermore, two customers – the Institute for Systems Biology and Genentech – have had papers published in Science (Science 30 April 2010: Vol. 328, no.5978, pp. 636) and Nature (Nature 27 May 2010: Vol: 465, pp: 473–477), respectively, based on Complete Genomics’ sequencing data.