# Helix

> Helix is a San Mateo-based population genomics company that helps health systems, life sciences companies, and public health organizations weave genomic data into everyday patient care. Built around its proprietary Exome+ assay and the first FDA-authorized whole exome sequencing platform, Helix powers large-scale precision health programs at partners like Mayo Clinic and Renown Health, with a research network spanning hundreds of thousands of sequenced participants.

- **Founded:** 2015
- **Headquarters:** San Mateo, California, United States
- **Founders:** James Lu (Co-Founder & CEO), Justin Kao (Co-Founder), Scott Burke (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** ~180 employees
- **Products:** Exome+ Assay, Helix Laboratory Platform, Helix Research Network, Clinical Genomics & Proactive Screening, Viral Surveillance
- **Notable:** First and only whole exome sequencing platform to receive FDA de novo authorization (January 2021)., Built one of the largest population genomics research networks in the U.S., spanning roughly 20 health systems and 400,000+ sequenced participants., Published, with Renown Health, one of the largest genome-wide rare variant analyses on 70,000+ exomes.

## Products & services

- **Exome+ Assay** — Proprietary next-generation sequencing assay that reads approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes plus roughly 300,000 informative non-coding regions from a single sample, designed to be sequenced once and re-queried over time.
- **Helix Laboratory Platform** — The first whole exome sequencing platform to receive FDA de novo authorization (January 2021), establishing a new regulatory pathway for broad sequencing-based devices.
- **Helix Research Network** — A network of roughly 20 health systems and hundreds of thousands of consented, sequenced participants that powers population-scale genomic research and clinical discovery.
- **Clinical Genomics & Proactive Screening** — Hereditary cancer (BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome), cardiovascular, and pharmacogenomic screening integrated into provider workflows for risk identification and cascade screening.
- **Viral Surveillance** — Genomic sequencing services for public health, including large-scale COVID-19 testing and SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance.
- **Life Sciences Services** — Clinico-genomic data and laboratory services that support biopharma research, drug discovery, and clinical development.

## Achievements

- First and only whole exome sequencing platform to receive FDA de novo authorization (January 2021).
- Built one of the largest population genomics research networks in the U.S., spanning roughly 20 health systems and 400,000+ sequenced participants.
- Published, with Renown Health, one of the largest genome-wide rare variant analyses on 70,000+ exomes.
- Pivoted rapidly into COVID-19 testing and SARS-CoV-2 viral surveillance during the pandemic.
- Raised $411M in total funding from investors including Warburg Pincus, Kleiner Perkins, and Temasek.

## Latest updates

- **2023-01** — Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Helix announced a collaboration to provide a joint suite of laboratory services to biopharma customers.
- **2023-07** — St. Luke's University Health Network and Helix launched a population genomics research program to accelerate precision medicine.
- **2021-06** — Closed $50M Series C to scale population genomics and COVID-19 viral surveillance.
- **2021-01** — Helix Laboratory Platform granted first and only FDA de novo authorization for a whole exome sequencing platform.

## Links

- Website: https://www.helix.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/my-helix
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/my_helix
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myhelix/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/helix
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-09