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Polygenic risk scores have been scrutinized for their potential bias. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, close to 80% of participants in genetic studies (and the base of evaluation) have been from European descent, and does not account for demographic differences, like race. Customers also have the option of ordering their own genetic testing kit provided by the company. Then Nucleus will calculate polygenic risk scores, which is a measure that provides a genetic predisposition for a potential condition, and provide information about said risk on their platform. Typically, Nucleus users will upload their own genetic results previously obtained by an at-home testing company like 23andMe or Ancestry. Nucleus originally announced a $3.5 million seed round back in December of 2021.
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Ohanian is joining investors like Founders Fund, Adrian Aoun (CEO at Forward Health), Brent Saunders (former CEO at Allergan), Matteo Franceschetti (CEO at Eight Sleep) and others. This “seed plus” funding round was led by Alexis Ohanian’s 776. With this round the company has raised, in total, $17.5 million. Nucleus Genomics, a genetic testing company focused on calculating a patient’s risk of certain diseases, is adding $14 million to their initial seed funding round.
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