NalaGenetics Develops DNA Tests for Personalized Health and Nutrition

Startups BiotechNalaGenetics launched LifeReady, a DNA test to analyze users' complete profiles and provide a range of more personalized health solutions.

Menggunakan buccal swab, NalaGenetics matches millions of users' DNA to deep gene-variant pairs and summarizes user profiles covering fitness conditions, skin health, allergies, and health risks in released reports.

"The fact is that every person in the world has a different set of DNA. By knowing the DNA we have, this is the first step to knowing the true condition of the body [...] We offer health solutions that are more accurate and in accordance with each person's DNA, so that they can achieve optimal body health," said Product Manager for NutriReady and LifeReady NalaGenetics Emilia Bewintara in an official statement, Thursday (21/3).

He continued, in the medical world the factors that influence human health are divided into two: genetics/heredity or the environment. Genetic factors often act as internal triggers, making someone more at risk of developing a disease than people with different DNA. According to research in the United States, 40% of diseases commonly found in society are caused by genetic components.

This genetic examination does not stand alone, but will be more useful when combined with a medical history, body composition examination, blood examination, and other health examinations. NalaGenetics also provides other services that can be combined with LifeReady, namely NutriReady, a DNA test that analyzes metabolism and nutritional needs, allowing users to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their health condition.

In addition, there is the NalaCare health program which focuses on establishing effective healthy habits. This program is also supported by professional medical personnel, such as general practitioners, clinical nutrition specialists, and nutritionists. So, the results of genetic tests carried out by users are not just reports, but also become part of their lifestyle.

It is hoped that the combination of LifeReady, NutriReady and NalaCare can encourage users to achieve better health conditions.

LifeReady DNA Test

How to access this DNA test is quite easy. Users can purchase it online on the NalaGenetics website. Then the user will get a test kit that can be done at home, taking a saliva swab sample.

The NalaGenetics team will take samples from the user's premises and then analyze them in the laboratory. Both LifeReady and NutriReady reports will be available in the NalaGenetics application within 4-6 weeks.

After receiving the test results, users can register for NalaCare, which is an ongoing health program to help users integrate their genetic test results, while arranging a series of health services with experienced health providers that suit their needs.

The results of the LifeReady DNA test are divided into several main panels, namely:

1. Allergy panel (detects allergens that can trigger allergies for each person);
2. Fitness panel (type of sport that suits the body);
3. Skin health panel (product types that suit skin needs); And
4. Productivity panel (how to get ideal sleep quality).

Thanks to the program genome, NalaGenetics' collaboration with biobank, as well as its advanced algorithm, the test accuracy rate reaches 99%.

Meanwhile, for DNA test results from NutriReady, users will get personalized food recommendations based on DNA results, including what types of food best suit the user's body needs, as well as recommendations for foods that need to be avoided because they have the potential to trigger intolerance.

Co-founder and CEO of NalaGenetics Levana Laksmicitra Sani said that the main goal is to shape the future of the world of health which places more emphasis on preventive efforts. Each user knows their own needs and their own body, and what must be done to avoid disease in the future.

"With proactive health management, we can together reduce future medical costs and improve the overall quality of public health. We believe that early intervention will contribute to a healthier and more sustainable health system in Indonesia and Southeast Asia," he added.

NalaGenetics' journey began in the interior of Papua in 2016. Levana and the founding team collaborated with the Indonesian Ministry of Health to distribute 1.000 DNA test kits in five villages. The results were quite surprising, 20% of leprosy patients apparently had a gene that made them susceptible to Dapsone, a frequently used anti-leprosy drug. Thanks to these findings, patients can get a more appropriate series of treatments, so they can recover and avoid drug side effects.

Experience This encouraged Levana and Astrid Irwanto, Alexander Lezhava, and Jianjun Liu to jointly establish NalaGenetics and expand their network of connections with various hospitals, medical personnel and laboratories in Jakarta and Singapore. It is claimed that currently, NalaGenetics has reached 12 countries in Southeast Asia, collaborated with more than 20 lab partners, and released more than 40.000 DNA reports.