5 ms·

Hi everyone! Dave Messina from Cofactor Genomics here. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. We're excited to launch!

Asparagirl 11y ago
What kinds of disorders and diseases will you be testing for? Will your tests be available direct-to-consumer, or will patients have to go through health provider gatekeeping?
- rational-future 11y ago
  or will patients have to go through evil health provider gatekeeping? FTFY :)
  - Asparagirl 11y ago
    I was trying not to editorialize too much. :-)
- davemessina 11y ago
  We are looking at Parkinson's, heart disease, and cancer initially.
  - lucidrains 11y ago
    Hi, could you point us to some papers on this subject? I have never heard of circular RNAs put into clinical use.
  - Asparagirl 11y ago
    ...and the gatekeeping?
rational-future 11y ago
Hey Dave, how does RNA sequencing work for an individual customer? Do you plan to have something like the 23andMe collection kit? In my understanding human cells have may different types of RNA, which one are you sequencing?
- davemessina 11y ago
  We plan to offer testing through your doctor, rather than direct to consumer. We are measuring circular RNAs.
salimmadjd 11y ago
Congrats! Co-founder of AsthmaMD here. I'm curious why you are going through doctors and not direct to consumers at the begging? I understand FDA might force you to limit your marketing claims, however you now need to convince both physicians and consumers of the benefits of these tests. No? Where as I would imagine there will be enough early-adopters in the consumer space who'd be happy to pay for a test like this. You can later move to the physicians space and assuringly get insurance companies cover the costs, when you have been more stablished. Would love to learn more about your thinking and strategy here.
- davemessina 11y ago
  It's the fastest way for us to get this powerful diagnosis technology on the market and helping people. We believe that our RNA test can become a routine part of a doctor's visit, both as an early indicator of disease and — if there is disease — as a means to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
navi54 11y ago
Would you ever hire someone from Europe? And what skills do you seek after in a employee?

Asparagirl 11y ago

What kinds of disorders and diseases will you be testing for? Will your tests be available direct-to-consumer, or will patients have to go through health provider gatekeeping?

rational-future 11y ago
or will patients have to go through evil health provider gatekeeping? FTFY :)
- Asparagirl 11y ago
  I was trying not to editorialize too much. :-)
davemessina 11y ago
We are looking at Parkinson's, heart disease, and cancer initially.
- lucidrains 11y ago
  Hi, could you point us to some papers on this subject? I have never heard of circular RNAs put into clinical use.
- Asparagirl 11y ago
  ...and the gatekeeping?

rational-future 11y ago

Hey Dave, how does RNA sequencing work for an individual customer? Do you plan to have something like the 23andMe collection kit? In my understanding human cells have may different types of RNA, which one are you sequencing?

davemessina 11y ago
We plan to offer testing through your doctor, rather than direct to consumer. We are measuring circular RNAs.

salimmadjd 11y ago

Congrats! Co-founder of AsthmaMD here. I'm curious why you are going through doctors and not direct to consumers at the begging? I understand FDA might force you to limit your marketing claims, however you now need to convince both physicians and consumers of the benefits of these tests. No? Where as I would imagine there will be enough early-adopters in the consumer space who'd be happy to pay for a test like this. You can later move to the physicians space and assuringly get insurance companies cover the costs, when you have been more stablished. Would love to learn more about your thinking and strategy here.

davemessina 11y ago
It's the fastest way for us to get this powerful diagnosis technology on the market and helping people. We believe that our RNA test can become a routine part of a doctor's visit, both as an early indicator of disease and — if there is disease — as a means to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

navi54 11y ago

Would you ever hire someone from Europe? And what skills do you seek after in a employee?