Helix is a leading American population genomics company headquartered in San Mateo, California. The company focuses on integrating genomics into healthcare, medical research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Helix’s mission is to empower individuals to improve their lives through DNA by making genomic data practical and actionable for personalized healthcare. Helix partners with health systems, life sciences companies, and payers, providing solutions that help organizations leverage genomic data for better patient care and therapeutic development.

Helix was founded in July 2015 by James Lu, Justin Kao, and Scott Burke. The founders recognized a need for more comprehensive personal genomic services, aiming to go beyond basic ancestry testing to offer affordable, accessible, and actionable genetic insights. The company quickly built a proprietary sequencing platform and established key partnerships with major organizations, such as the National Geographic Society and the Renown Institute of Health Innovation, which helped drive early growth and credibility.

Helix has raised over $400 million through multiple funding rounds. Key milestones include:

• An initial Series A round of $100 million led by Illumina in 2015.
• A venture round in 2017, raising $20 million led by Kleiner Perkins.
• A Series B round in 2018, raising $200 million led by DFJ Growth, with participation from Illumina, Kleiner Perkins, Sutter Hill Ventures, Warburg Pincus, and Mayo Clinic.
• In 2020, Helix received a $33 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support COVID-19 testing and surveillance.
• A Series C round in 2021 raised $50 million, led by Warburg Pincus and other existing investors.

After the Series C round, Helix’s valuation was estimated to be around $1 billion.

Helix provides a comprehensive genomics platform that includes:

• DNA Sequencing: Using its proprietary Exome+ assay, which sequences all 22,000 protein-coding genes and additional regions of interest, delivering much more data than traditional exome sequencing.
• Data Storage and Access: Its “Sequence Once, Query Often” model allows a person’s DNA to be sequenced and securely stored once, enabling ongoing access to genomic data and insights without repeated sampling.
• Clinical and Research Solutions: Helix supports health systems and life sciences companies in integrating genomics into clinical care, research, and drug development. This includes diagnostic panels, population health programs, and large-scale research cohorts.
• Marketplace Model: Helix previously operated a marketplace allowing approved partners to offer various genomic analysis applications to consumers.

Helix has expanded its reach and technical capabilities through strategic partnerships and collaborations. The company has worked with leading institutions on large-scale research projects and population health initiatives, such as the Healthy Nevada project and partnerships with Mayo Clinic and other health systems. While there is no public record of Helix acquiring other companies, its growth strategy focuses on deepening industry collaborations and expanding the applications of its genomics platform.

Helix continues to innovate by:

• FDA Authorization: In 2021, Helix became the first company to receive FDA authorization for a whole-exome sequencing platform, opening the door for future clinical tests using subsets of its sequencing data.
• COVID-19 Response: During the pandemic, Helix scaled up its viral surveillance and testing capabilities, making significant contributions to public health monitoring and research.
• Large-Scale Cohorts: The company has launched initiatives such as a 23,000-patient clinico-genomic cohort for autoimmune disease research.

Helix’s culture is rooted in innovation, collaboration, integrity, empowerment, and excellence. The company values diversity in expertise, encourages cross-departmental collaboration, and prioritizes ethical practices, especially regarding genomic data privacy and security. Helix’s mission is to advance science and empower individuals to take control of their health through personalized genetic insights.

Helix serves a diverse user base, including:

• Health Systems and Life Sciences: Providing enterprise solutions for integrating genomics into healthcare delivery and research.
• Patients and Consumers: Offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing and ongoing support.
• Research Participants: Engaging tens of thousands of individuals in population health and research studies, such as the Healthy Nevada project.
• Industry Recognition: Helix is recognized as a challenger in the direct-to-consumer genetic testing market, alongside companies like Ancestry and Natera.

Helix fosters a strong community by collaborating with researchers, healthcare providers, and public health organizations, and by empowering individuals with actionable genetic information.