Craig VenterFLICKR, STEVE JURVETSONCraig Venter announced this week (March 4) a new company Human Longevity Inc., which will focus on sequencing genomes and linking genetic variants with clinical information, in what he hopes will be “the largest human sequencing operation in the world,” a press release read. The firm intends to also develop cell-based therapies for diseases associated with age.
“Using the combined power of our core areas of expertise—genomics, informatics, and stem cell therapies, we are tackling one of the greatest medical/scientific and societal challenges—aging and aging related diseases,” Venter said in the release. “Our goal is not necessarily lengthening life, but extending a healthier, high performing, more productive life span.”
With an initial $70 million in funding from investors, Human Longevity acquired 20 Illumina sequencers, which it will use to sequence 40,000 human genomes a year, The Wall Street Journal reported. Eventually, the firm plans to sequence as many as 100,000 genomes a year. The company plans to sell the data it collects to researchers and drug companies—if successful, “it will be the reference database that all of us will have to use,” ...
