Through its Picture Genetics platform launched in 2019, Fulgent Genetics offers consumers direct access to its advanced genetic testing and analytics capabilities from the ease and comfort of home, at an affordable price point. The Picture Genetics platform provides a holistic approach to at-home genetic screening by including oversight from independent physicians as well as genetic counseling options to complement Fulgent Genetics’ comprehensive genetic testing analysis. The Picture Genetics platform currently offers multiple tests, providing medically actionable, clinical-level results with professional medical follow-up in one easy process.
In this interview we learn from Brandon Perthuis, Fulgent Genetics’ Chief Commercial Officer about the company’s work and how Picture Genetics assists you in understanding your genetic risks to make informed choices for you and your family’s long-term health.
Please describe the story behind the company: What sparked the idea, and how has it evolved so far?
When Picture Genetics was born in 2019, our parent company, Fulgent Genetics (FLGT), had been providing clinical-grade genetic testing for almost a decade. We knew from experience about the important insight into health management and family planning that genetic testing can provide. We also knew that most of the time, the highest-quality genetic health tests require doctor visits and insurance hassles, and the tests you can easily get at home are not necessarily the best. So we decided to change the model. Picture provides genetic analysis from a clinically validated lab, complete with physician support, all from the comfort of your home. We have also expanded our testing options as of 2020 to include a fast and reliable COVID-19 testing option. We felt we needed to help in any way we could, providing COVID-19 tests fits our mission of making medical-quality testing as accessible as possible.
What sets Picture tests apart from other testing services?
There are many types of genetic tests out there. First of all, our tests only focus on actionable health and wellness. So, we don’t test for ancestry, and we don’t tell you about your personality or body traits based on your DNA. While all that can be fun, in our opinion it’s not as grounded in science. Our lab is clinically certified (specifically by organizations called CAP and CLIA), and it has state-of-the-art genetic sequencing equipment as well as experienced genetic scientists. So you know you are getting a science-backed result you can trust. On top of that, you are getting clinical support: All Picture tests involve medical professionals for clinical interpretation and follow-up. This process is streamlined by us, so you don’t have to personally interact with a clinician unless you want to. Lastly–and unfortunately this one can get into the weeds a bit–the type of genetic analysis we perform (for our DNA tests only) is called next generation sequencing, which is the gold-standard for genetic analysis. Most at-home genetic tests use a different method called genotyping, which is not as thorough.
Could you tell us a bit more about the types of at-home genetic testing you offer?
All our genetic tests are focused on personal and family health. We have Picture Parenting, which is a test for moms who are pregnant or couples considering pregnancy. This is what is often called a “carrier screening test,” because it looks to see if mom and dad carry any genetic variations that do not affect them, but may affect a baby. Then we have Picture Newborn, which looks for over 200 rare but serious conditions that a baby may be born with. Knowing about these conditions in advance of symptoms can be extremely important for the baby’s ongoing health and quality of life. And we have Picture Wellness, which is a test for individuals to help assess their lifetime risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. We also very recently launched a new test, in collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation, which is called Picture PD Aware and tests for one’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
What kind of information can be discovered through your tests and how could this change the way that people live?
It depends on the test, but we do ensure that all information we provide is medically actionable in some way. So, you may discuss your results with your healthcare team to see how you can mitigate any genetic risks you may have if you took a Picture Wellness test, for example. Our newborn test in particular has the potential to greatly increase a child’s quality of life if certain conditions are caught and treated early. And our Picture Parenting test can help guide family planning at a time when certainty and information are what parents-to-be really need. So maybe it’s not so much about changing the way people live as about empowering them to make the best decisions for their health.
How difficult is it for a layperson to understand your product results and reports?
We worked hard with our genetic counselors, content creators, and graphic designers to ensure that our reports make sense and provide useful information for lay people (because that’s what Picture is all about!). That said, one of the best things about getting results for a Picture test is that you’ll never be left alone to interpret them. Every test comes with the option for a genetic counseling session, so that a professional can walk you through your results and what they mean in the context of your life.
Which trends and technologies do you find to be particularly exciting these days?
Increased online access to medical care and medical-grade testing is a really exciting trend. We see people wanting to take a more active role in their healthcare and wellbeing. Picture is a tool to help enable that. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis is what brought a lot of this increased online access to the forefront, but it was happening before that and we hope it continues to happen after.
