We’re thrilled to bring forward a conversation with a visionary leader who has profoundly transformed the field of genomics in India – Anu Acharya. She is the co-founder and CEO of Mapmygenome, a pioneering company that democratizes access to personalized, preventive healthcare by leveraging the power of genomics.
With over 20 years of experience, Anu has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of genomics for preventive and clinical healthcare. Under her able leadership, Mapmygenome was established in 2013 with a noble vision to “Touch 100 million lives” and has grown into a reputable institution that provides regular health checks, Covid testing along with genomics in key Indian cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, and Bangalore.
Anu’s entrepreneurial journey is marked with numerous accolades and recognitions including the ET Startup Awards, NASSCOM Emerge 50, Top 7 finalist of WSJ’s Top global startups’ award, Red Herring Asia and Global and the recently conferred Pride of Telangana award. These milestones are testament to Anu’s commitment towards creating a deep impact in the health sector through innovative genomic solutions.
Apart from her entrepreneurial achievements, Anu is also an active board member and mentor at various high-profile institutions such as NIBMG, NIAB, IIITHyderabad, IvyCap Ventures, CSIR and ABLE. A distinguished alumna from IIT Kharagpur, Anu has been a source of inspiration for budding entrepreneurs and genomics enthusiasts alike.
She has authored multiple research articles in esteemed journals and has been a part of prestigious forums like the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders, Aspen Institute’s Health Scholar – Ideas Festival, and Economic Times- Women Ahead.
Anu’s vision extends beyond business; she is dedicated to creating a culture of inclusiveness and innovation at Mapmygenome. Her drive to make genomics accessible and useful for the masses is transforming healthcare strategies across India, making her one of the most influential leaders in the healthcare sector.
Join us as we delve into an enlightening conversation with Anu Acharya about her journey, her vision for genomics in healthcare, and her thoughts on entrepreneurship.
Thank you for taking time to share your knowledge and experience with our audience. Can you start by telling the audience about yourself?
I’m Anu Acharya, the CEO and Co-Founder of MapmyGenome.
Innovation has always been at the core of my journey. It’s both an honor and a responsibility to lead an organization that stands at the crossroads of two transformative domains- machine learning and genomics, where we harness the immense power of machine learning to fully unlock the potential of genomics.
I first ventured into the healthcare industry in 2000 by establishing bioinformatics company Ocimum Bio Solutions, when genomics was still in its infancy but held immense promise. The human genome was getting sequenced at that time.
Then in 2013, we founded MapmyGenome with the vision to democratize access to personalized, preventive healthcare by leveraging the power of genomics. Genomics lies at the heart of what we do. We believe that by understanding the secrets hidden within our genetic code, we can empower people to increase their lifespan by looking after various aspects of their health.
MapmyGenome has grown into a prominent genomics company, offering a wide range of preventive and clinical genetic testing and genetic counseling services. We’ve expanded our footprint, serving not only individual consumers but also partnering with healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions to drive innovation in the field of genomics.
What motivates me to get up in the morning? Knowing that our work at Mapmygenome can empower people with critical information about their health, guide them toward preventive measures, and potentially save lives is incredibly inspiring.
Can you tell our audience about MapmyGenome? What is the problem it is addressing and how is it doing so?
The healthcare industry has long grappled with the challenge of delivering personalized healthcare solutions. One of the key problems we aim to address is the one-size-fits-all approach to healthcare, which often results in suboptimal outcomes. For example, adverse drug reaction is amongst the top 4 causes of death globally.
Our genomic tests take a proactive approach, focusing on disease prevention rather than just reacting to symptoms. They are user friendly, DIY genomic testing kits that can be conveniently ordered online and get delivered to your home. MapmyGenome aims at not only improving the lives of our customers but also saving health costs in the long run, reducing the burden on the healthcare system.
There is a lack of awareness, access, and affordability of genomic data and services for Indians, who constitute one-sixth of the world’s population. Our flagship product, Genomepatri, is a preventive genomics test that analyzes over 100 conditions related to health risks, drug response, inherited conditions, and lifestyle. We also offer diagnostic tests for cancer, rare diseases, prenatal screening, and infectious diseases.
MapmyGenome uses state-of-the-art technologies and platforms to generate high-quality genomic data from saliva or blood samples. We have developed our own proprietary algorithm and databases to interpret the genomic data. Our team of experts includes geneticists, bioinformaticians, who ensure that the information provided to our customers is not only scientifically sound but also easily understandable and actionable. We have a team of board certified genetic counselors who help interpret the genetic results and provide guidance and support before and after the test.
We finally have been able to get to the point where people are interested in getting a genomic test done. They are understanding the potential of genomics in changing their health destiny. People are gradually understanding that all it takes is a simple cheek swab to feel better and look better.
We aim to create a culture of proactive healthcare globally, where people are empowered with knowledge about their health and take informed steps before it’s too late. We want to tell people that they have greater control over their health.
What is the basic concept of genomics and personalized medicine, and how do they intersect to revolutionize healthcare?
Genomics is the study of an organism’s entire genetic makeup, or genome. Personalized medicine aims to tailor medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient. The intersection of these two fields offers unprecedented opportunities to revolutionize healthcare. By understanding a patient’s individual genetic makeup, we can predict their susceptibility to certain diseases, understand their likely response to treatment, and even tailor therapies to their specific genetic profile.
This has significant implications for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. For instance, in cancer care, genomics can identify mutations that drive the disease, enabling targeted therapy. In rare diseases, genomics can provide a diagnosis where none was previously possible.
How can genomics help us better understand diseases?
Genomics has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of diseases. For most diseases, it’s not just one gene that’s responsible but a complex interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Genomics allows us to study these interactions in depth.
By sequencing the genome of individuals with a certain disease, we can identify common genetic variants that might contribute to the disease. This can help us unravel the underlying biological mechanisms, leading to new treatments or preventive strategies.
How does a person’s genetic profile influence their response to medication?
A person’s genetic profile can have a significant impact on their response to medication. This is because genes play a key role in determining how our bodies process drugs. Variations in genes that encode for drug-metabolizing enzymes can affect a drug’s efficacy and risk of side effects.
For instance, variations in the gene CYP2D6 affect how individuals metabolize certain antidepressants and opioids. Some people may have a variant that causes them to metabolize these drugs quickly, reducing their efficacy, while others may metabolize them more slowly, increasing the risk of side effects.
How does genomics contribute to early disease detection and prevention?
Genomic data can be used to identify individuals at risk of certain diseases before symptoms appear. For example, individuals with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a significantly higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer especially if there is a family history of breast cancer. Identification of these mutations allows for early intervention measures such as increased surveillance or prophylactic surgeries.
It is not just cancer, but preventive genomics using polygenic risk scores can tell us about propensity for many traits and diseases. By combining data from genomics and lifestyle and biomarkers, one can take a proactive approach towards health.
Furthermore, genomics can also guide lifestyle recommendations. For instance, individuals with certain genetic variants may benefit from specific dietary modifications or exercise regimens to prevent disease development.
Can you elaborate on how personalized medicine is changing the landscape of cancer treatment?
Personalized medicine is dramatically transforming cancer treatment by moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach towards targeted therapies.
In traditional cancer treatment, drugs are selected based on the type and stage of cancer. However, patients with the same type and stage of cancer often respond differently to the same treatment. Personalized medicine seeks to understand these differences at the molecular level.
By sequencing the genome of a patient’s tumor, we can identify specific mutations driving the cancer and select targeted therapies that specifically inhibit these mutations. This can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
What are the current challenges in integrating genomics into everyday medical practice?
Despite the promise of genomics, several challenges remain in its integration into everyday medical practice. These include the data for specific data for different populations, the need for robust clinical evidence demonstrating the benefits of genomic medicine, the cost and accessibility of genomic testing, and the need for healthcare professionals to have sufficient genomic literacy to interpret and act on genomic information.
Furthermore, there are also ethical and privacy concerns related to the use and storage of genomic data that need to be addressed.
How can genomics help in predicting and managing pandemics like COVID-19?
Genomics has played a critical role in the COVID-19 pandemic. By sequencing the genome of the virus, scientists were able to rapidly develop diagnostic tests and start working on vaccines. Genomics can also help in proactively working on vaccines before the start of the pandemic.
Moreover, genomics allows us to track the spread and evolution of the virus. Different genetic variants of the virus can be identified and linked to specific geographical areas or times, providing valuable information for public health interventions.
In terms of management, understanding the genetic factors that influence susceptibility to severe disease can guide risk stratification and treatment decisions.
What is pharmacogenomics and how does it fit into the broader picture of personalized medicine?
Pharmacogenomics or PGX is a subfield of genomics that focuses on how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to drugs. It forms a cornerstone of personalized medicine, as it allows us to predict which patients are likely to benefit from a drug, who will not respond at all, and who will experience adverse effects. Pharmacogenomic testing has the potential to help guide health care professionals to more precise dosing and prescribing.
By tailoring drug selection and dosing based on a patient’s pharmacogenomic profile, we can improve the efficacy and safety of treatments.
Can you tell us about some recent advancements in genomics that have excited you?
An exciting development is the use of genomic data to guide drug development. By understanding the genetic basis of diseases, we can identify new drug targets and develop therapies that specifically target the disease.
Another area that has truly excited me is longevity and there are two areas of genomics that are exciting- Microbiome and epigenetics. Understanding environmental factors and their influence on gene expression hold immense promise. Epigenetics not only open up new avenues in cancer research,but they also offer insights into the science of longevity – a subject close to my heart.
How do you see the future of genomics and personalized medicine evolving over the next decade?
I believe that genomics and personalized medicine will continue to become more integrated into everyday healthcare. As we continue to generate more genomic data and our understanding of the human genome deepens, we will be able to develop more precise treatments for a wide range of diseases.
I also anticipate advancements in technologies such as gene editing and gene therapy, which have the potential to cure genetic diseases. Furthermore, I expect that we will see more widespread use of pharmacogenomics to guide drug selection and dosing.
However, it is crucial that as we move forward, we also address the ethical, legal, and social implications of these technologies to ensure they are used responsibly and equitably.
Contact Details:
- Business website: https://mapmygenome.in/
- Email: anu@mapmygenome.in
- Business Linkedin: Map my Genome Linkedin
- Personal Linkedin: Anu Acharya Linkedin