Nalagenetics Receives Initial Funding of 15 Billion Rupiah, Develops Low Cost Genetic Test Service

Startups in the health sector (healthtech) for genetic testing Nalagenetics today (01/11) announced the acquisition of an early-stage funding round (pre-seed round) worth $1 million (equivalent to 15 billion Rupiah). This funding was obtained by East Ventures, Intudo Ventures, and several companies angel investors. Through its solution, Nalagenetics tries to provide low-cost genetic testing services tailored to the Asian market. Its business penetration will begin in the Singapore and Indonesia markets.

The funds obtained will be allocated to complete proof-of-value projects in collaboration with several hospitals and health institutions in Singapore and Indonesia. In addition, Nalagenetics also hopes to recruit members to strengthen the team. In addition to genetic testing, Nalagenetics has also developed several other products to support testing, including Cilincal Decision Support and Patient Engagement Tools.

Nalagenetics was founded by a group of scientists, namely Jianjun Liu, Astrid Irwanto, Alexander Lezhava and Levana Sani. The four met while working at the Genome Institute of Singapore. The development of genetic test products is not without reason, the Nalagenetics team based on a research finding conducted in Singapore. Many losses can be caused by side effects of drugs due to genetic factors. Nalagenetics focuses on pharmacogenomics, the branch in genetics that studies how DNA affects a person's drug response.

About 30% of side effects by drugs are caused by genetic factors. Knowing one's genetic makeup can save patients from side effects, which can sometimes be deadly. Nalagenetics products also proceed from the findings and testing of para founder-his. One of them is Astrid, in her research in Papua, she collaborated with Lezhava to design a genetic test that costs under $5 and performs the test 1000 times.

This genetic test is also expected to provide the best treatment solution. For example, while at the Genome Institute of Singapore, the team worked together to bring the genetic biomarker product they had found to determine whether certain leprosy patients were likely to have an adverse reaction that could be fatal, in medical parlance called Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS). The detection results will be used for the determination of drugs to avoid side effects.

The work and research evidence of the Nalagenetics team also made investors believe. One of them was revealed by the Managing Partner of East Ventures, Willson Cuaca. He revealed that the first meeting with the Nalagenetics team impressed him immediately. What Nalagenetics has accomplished will have a positive impact on the population in Asia. The cost-effective test solutions that are carried out are ensured that they are accessible to a wider audience.

Likewise with Partrick Yap, Founding Partner Intudo Ventures. He said that this innovation, supported by Indonesian scientists, would help address local health challenges that were previously ignored. It is committed to supporting the Nalagenetics business through its network of local and international strategic partners.

Since being founded in 2016 for the leprosy project, Nalagenetics has been incubated in Harvard's Venture Incubation Program and obtained support for the development of their genetic test at the Genome Institute of Singapore through Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL).