Strand Life Sciences Launches ‘Strand Genomic' for Preventive Wellness

Strand’s new offering will help people better understand and manage diseases through genomic sequencing. 

Strand Life Sciences, a genomics-based research and diagnostics company, has launched ‘Strand Genomic Wellness’, a new line of genomic-based tests for preventive wellness. Launched at Bengaluru Tech Summit, this new offering from Strand can help individuals understand and manage their disease better.

As the first offering of the program, Strand has introduced the ‘Genomic Health Insight’ report to help individuals understand how their personal genomic variations might influence their risk for a broad range of diseases with 30-100% heritability. This knowledge can help individuals work with their doctors to manage their risk with proactive wellness measures.

A recent study published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that nearly 1 in 8 people who underwent predictive genomic testing found that they had a genetic risk for a health condition and may be able to manage it better with preventive care. Rising adoption of healthier lifestyles and increasing awareness of new healthcare programs and advancements are expected to drive increasing demand for predictive genetic testing .

Commenting on the new launch, Dr. Ramesh Hariharan, CEO & Co-Founder, Strand Life Sciences, said, “We are excited to bring our 22 years of experience in Genomics and Bioinformatics to help individuals use genomics-based insights to proactively manage their wellness. Genomics is advancing at a breakneck pace, and the Genomic Wellness initiative will bring these advances to the Indian consumer, beginning with inherited insights and eventually covering evolving insights that reflect the dynamic of the ageing body”

Strand’s new Genomic Health Insight screening offers the following benefits:

• It helps understand the risk of developing certain inherited diseases that manifest later in life
• It helps identify risks to progeny
• It helps individuals work with their clinicians to make lifestyle changes and adopt necessary preventive measures to lower their risk and that of their progeny
• It provides a catalogue of genomic variants in ~20,000 genes for life and access to new research findings on these variations, as and when they arise. 

As a part of the new launch, and in order for families to understand their risks more comprehensively, Strand will also be offering a limited number of free Genomic Health Insight reports for parents of any adult choosing to get one for themselves.

For more details, visit, https://diagnostics.strandls.com/genomic-wellness

About Strand Life Sciences

Strand Life Sciences is a genomics-based research and diagnostics company that combines a long track record in bioinformatics with cutting-edge laboratory assays and a vast hospital partner network to drive newer generations of patient care. Strand’s customers include global instrument, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies. Strand is also a pioneer of genomic testing in India. Strand’s long global bioinformatics track record makes it the most trusted company for genomic diagnostics in the areas of oncology, rare diseases, women’s health, and infectious diseases.

Strand Life Sciences Sequenced 12,800 SARS-CoV-2 Samples from Bengaluru and Identifies 100 Lineages Circulating in the City

Strand Life Sciences presents ‘Report on Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in the city of Bengaluru’

Strand Life Sciences has sequenced a total of 12800 samples from July, 2021 to June, 2022, and identified more than a 100 lineages circulating in Bengaluru

Strand Life Sciences, a genomics-based research and diagnostics company, presented insights from its COVID19 genomic surveillance initiative of sequencing 12,800 SARS-CoV-2 samples from the city of Bengaluru on Sunday, 17th July 2022, as a part of the ‘Celebrating Covid Genomic Sequencing and Surveillance effort in Karnataka’ event at Sir Puttanna Chetty Townhall, JC Road, Bengaluru.

The event was presided over by Dr Ashwath Narayan CN, Minister of Higher Education, IT & BT, Govt of Karnataka, Dr. Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Special Health Commissioner, BBMP, Dr. Ramesh Hariharan, CEO & Co-Founder, Strand Life Sciences, , Prof. Rajesh Sundaresan, IISc, Professor, Dr Vishal US Rao, Member of Genomic Surveillance Committee, Karnataka, and Director - Head and Neck Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, and Prof. Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society.

RTPCR +ve samples were collected between July, 2021 and June, 2022 from various laboratories in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with due permissions from BBMP. These samples were then sequenced and analyzed for variants and strains at Strand’s laboratories, and the findings were conveyed to the Karnataka State and BBMP public health officials in conjunction with INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium) labs like InStem, the key stakeholders for this project. The project was supported primarily by philanthropic funding from IN Covid Support, supplemented with funding from organisations like ACT Covid Response Collective.

L to R Naga karthik, IN covid support, Dr Balasundar CHO BBMP, Rajesh Sudaresan IISc Ashwath Narayan Ramesh Hariharan and Vishal US Rao

Key findings from the report 

A total of 12,800 RT PCR positive COVID-19 samples were sequenced at Strand Life Sciences during the time period between July 2021 and June 2022. These samples were collected from the various  wards across Karnataka, with a focus on Bengaluru.

Key findings

• In the 12,800 samples sequenced, more than 100 lineages were found.
• 44.4% of these were Delta and its 75 sub-lineages. 70% of these were the main B.1.617.2 sub-lineage and the remaining were the various AY.* sub-lineages.
• Delta and its sub-lineages were dominant from July to Oct 2021; the first Omicron presence in India was detected in late November 2021.
• Thereafter, Omicron grew rapidly to close to 100% by the end of January 2022 and the Delta sub-lineages were no longer visible. 
• There were a total of ~30 Omicron sub-lineages identified, of which BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.10, BA.3 were notable.
• A.2 and its sub-lineages dominated from Jan to May 2022, while BA.1 and BA.3 also retained some presence.
• A small presence for BA.5 was detected in April and May 2022.
• In June 2022, BA.2 and its sub-lineages continued to dominate at 74%, albeit reduced from 94%. 
• BA.5 and its sub-lineages recorded substantial growth to 20% in Jun 2022 and appeared as the leading contenders to unseat BA.2 and its sub-lineages. BA.4 also appeared at 2%.
• Continued genomic surveillance in the coming months will determine if BA.5 and its sub-lineages are able to phase out BA.2 and its sub-lineages, as has been the case in some other parts of the world.      

Key Contributions of the Initiative

• Strand Life Sciences developed ‘CoviSurve™’, a dashboard for real-time integration of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing data with the clinical and epidemiological information. 
• CoviSurve™ helps identify how many had a given variant and where and when it was detected. It also serves as a tool for early identification of novel variants. 
• Strand Life Sciences played a key role in the detection of the first Omicron cases recorded in India from international travellers. Continuous monitoring in Bengaluru city allowed close tracking of the spread of Omicron in the community. 
• Strand Life Sciences provided timely information that AY.4.2 was not a variant of concern in Bengaluru. AY.4.2 is a sub-lineage of the Delta variant. It was highlighted as a potential  variant of interest in the UK in late October 2021. However, only 1 out of 948 sequences in October 2021 from Bengaluru belonged to this  lineage. 
• This information was shared with the relevant authorities in a timely manner.
• Strand Life Sciences sequenced samples from high profile outbreaks in schools and colleges. In November 2021, as schools and colleges reopened, a number of COVID-19 clusters were observed in Karnataka. Strand’s analysis showed that sequences in these clusters were not related, reducing concerns of potential broader spread.

Commenting on the report, Dr. Ramesh Hariharan, CEO & Co-Founder, Strand Life Sciences, said, “We are proud to have contributed 38% of the samples submitted from Karnataka to major public databases. In hindsight, there was an opportunity to spot the emergence of the Delta strain at least a month before it caused its tragic mayhem. We learned from that and have since been tracking the virus closely and providing timely information to the Government of Karnataka and BBMP. We would like to thank the Government of Karnataka and BBMP officials as well as all our funding partners for their invaluable support, which allowed us as a society to stay on top of the virus.”

Dr Ashwath Narayan CN, Minister of Higher Education, IT & BT, Govt of Karnataka, “A vital component of managing public health is keeping up with virus mutations and lineages. We have taken active measures to encourage genomic sequencing to enable detection of new variants proactively. This effort by Strand Life Sciences has played a significant role in understanding the spread and identifying relevant solutions to control the spread of the virus.”

Dr. Vishal US Rao, Member of Genomic Surveillance Committee, Karnataka, and Director - Head and Neck Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital, said, “As new variants of coronavirus continue to emerge, genomic surveillance has an important role to play in bringing the pandemic under control. In order to contribute effectively, we must continue to build tools and sustainable systems for genomic surveillance which can then be leveraged to other pathogens. We plan to continue sequencing of human SARS-CoV-2 cases to ensure that public health officials stay informed and implement appropriate measures”

Dr. K.V Thrilok Chandra, IAS, Special Commissioner Health, BBMP, said “Genomic Surveillance has played a central role in ramping up health infrastructure as well as in introducing new measures to curtail the spread of Covid-19. I would like to congratulate the entire team of Strand Life Sciences for undertaking this ambitious project and sharing key insights on SARS-CoV-2 variants”

Dr. Vijay Chandru, Member Genomic Surveillance Committee of GoK and Chairman of the Science Advisory Board, Strand Life Sciences, said,  “The success of the new PPP triumvirate of public health, private technology and philanthropy in the delivery of cutting-edge and world-class genomic surveillance during the last one year in Karnataka, is a remarkable achievement that needs to be talked about and celebrated. It is testimony to the cooperation we have between industry, academia and the government in Karnataka. Genomic surveillance of this class requires a remarkable convergence of prowess in biotechnology and information technology and sophistication in health systems delivery and it is Bengaluru’s excellence in all these spheres that have come together in response to the pandemic to demonstrate that pandemic preparedness can be a very positive outcome of this challenging period that we have lived through."

Strand Life Sciences is a genomics-based research and diagnostics company that combines a long track record in bioinformatics with cutting-edge laboratory assays and a vast hospital partner network to drive newer generations of patient care. Strand’s customers include global instrument, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies. Strand is also a pioneer of genomic testing in India. Strand’s long global bioinformatics track record makes it the most trusted company for genomic diagnostics in the areas of oncology, rare diseases, fertility, women’s health, and infectious diseases.

Bengaluru's IISc Profs Founded Strand Life Sciences Acquires US-based Quest Diagnostics' India Business

Bengaluru-based Strand Life Sciences (formerly Strand Genomics), which was founded 18 years back by ex-professors of prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc) , has acquired the India medical diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics, a New Jersey, US-based diagnostic information services provider.

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of next year, but terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

The acquisition will help Strand Life Sciences (Strand) to mark its strong presence in North India as well as to grow its marquee of clientele that includes hospital chains, corporate houses and pharmaceutical companies to Strand's portfolio.

Quest, which has 65,000-square-feet laboratory facility in Gurgaon, has industry-leading laboratory operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Ramesh Hariharan, CEO at Strand Life, said, "This acquisition is an important addition to our network of 24 diagnostic labs across India, especially as we continue to expand our work in oncology, genomics, and precision medicine.”

Steve Rusckowski, CEO of Quest, said, “We have built a diagnostic laboratory in India with a reputation for quality over the past 10 years. As our business model has evolved, we believe Strand Life Sciences is well-positioned to continue the important work of empowering the people of India to improve their health with diagnostic insights."

Founded in October 2000, by IISc Professors Vijay Chandru, Ramesh Hariharan, Swami Manohar, and V. Vinay, Strand had raised $13 million, in February this year. The funds was raised from Singapore-based healthcare focused private equity investor, Quadria Capital, along with participation from India-based HealthQuad Fund and Singapore-based Heritas Venture Fund. In 2003, Strand was nominated as a technology pioneer by the World Economic Forum for the year 2002.

[caption id="attachment_126634" width="665" align="aligncenter"] Image - hariharan-ramesh.com[/caption]

In the late 1990s, all four Strand co-founders happened to attend an address by Ratan Tata, who was president of the court of IISc, who had expressed discontent on the lack of a research park on the institute where startups could interact with the institution, as is common in premier institutes such as Stanford and MIT.

This encouraged them to do a venture of their own and eventually in October 2000, the four established Strand Life Sciences, with IISc as a partner.

Source - Economic Times, Proactiveinvestors.com, Times of Indis epaper