NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Preconception genetic testing firm GenePeeks said today that it has signed a distribution agreement with the Alliance Global Group (AGBL), which is based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Under the agreement, AGBL will offer GenePeeks' Preconception Screen to patients, healthcare providers, and laboratories in the Middle East and in Africa. AGBL will also introduce additional applications of GenePeeks' technology, which is called Virtual Progeny Analytics, through partnerships with centers of excellence in the region.
GenePeeks Co-Founder and CEO Anne Morriss said in a statement that AGBL is "another strong partner for our growing presence outside the US."
"GenePeeks' Preconception Screen is an important addition to our growing portfolio of genetic tests," said AGBL CEO Tamer Degheidy in the announcement.
GenePeeks uses genomic data from prospective parents to predict the genetic disease risk of hypothetical children, applying a proprietary Variant Gene Dysfunction score. The firm says that unlike traditional carrier screening tests, it "focuses on a future child's true risk of disease inheritance." The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company offers the test as a physician-ordered service through its CLIA laboratory.
In 2016, GenePeeks raised $16 million in a Series B funding round that was led by 5AM Ventures. Columbus Nova Technology Partners, Alexandria Venture Investments, Alta Partners, and several individual investors also participated in the round.
The Alliance Global Group is focused on bringing new technologies and products to researchers, clinicians, and diagnostic users in the emerging healthcare markets of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.