Biotech Orig3N has partnered with the San Francisco 49ers to collect blood samples from fans to fuel its induced pluripotent stem cell research, reports NinersNation's David Fucillo.
The firm has been turning to crowdsourcing to build its sample repository by sponsoring sporting events, teams, and music festivals. Forbes noted last fall that Orig3N had a tent at the Marine Corps Marathon where it asked people walking by to provide blood samples.
A press release from Orig3N says that fans at 49ers games at Levi Stadium — even though Orig3N is based in Boston — can donate a blood sample to the company's LifeCapsule repository or buy LifeProfile genetic assessments that gauge genetic predispositions associated with fitness, endurance, strength, and metabolism. Fans can also join the Faithful DNA program to win 49ers-related prizes.
"If this helps cure various diseases, that's certainly a plus. On the other hand, having the largest single repository of people's blood samples is certainly cause for at least a little bit of pause," Fucillo says.
"All that aside, it's an interesting sponsorship idea," he adds.