Image via CrunchBase, source unknown Did 23andme just cut prices?
Update: Apparently they did
A new blog post suggests that they’ve dropped prices to $399 (unless I am being completely dense and that’s an upsell). That information is part of the launch of 23andme v2.
With the introduction of v2, our next-generation analytical platform, 23andMe customers will have access to an even more powerful set of the SNPs we use to probe their unique genetic composition.
Can anyone with a 23andme account, or in the know, tell me what the potential and scope of the “analytical platform” is. I also suspect that v2 is on the 1M chip.. From the press release, it appears they are using the new Quad+ Beadchips
The price reduction is largely made possible following technological advancements by Illumina — a leading provider of genetic analysis technologies — to its DNA Analysis Beadchips, which 23andMe uses to genotype customers. The new Beadchip, called the HumanHap550-Quad+, makes use of a four-sample format. 23andMe also has added improved custom content to the new Beadchip, which will include a broader range of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) variations and rare mutations not found on the previous Beadchip, thereby providing more relevant data on published associations, as well as maternal and paternal ancestry.
Need to dig into this more, but just saw the post and decided to throw it out there.
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6 Comments
“Our scientists spent many months sifting through scientific journals and online databases to select new SNPs”. 23andMe's original chip was an Illumina550 plus additional custom content. This chip may be based on the 1M chip, but if it were only that they would have lost some of their existing advantage over deCODEme. I won't be surprised to find that all of SNPedia (from before a certain date) is part of the new content.
Michael, that would be great wouldn't it
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From what I had heard, custom content was a key part of the value proposition, so I doubt if you're presumption is incorrect. After reading their website, I am not sure they've upgraded to the 1M yet.
Also very interesting in seeing what kind of algos/analytical engine they are providing or using at the back end, more that the white papers available at this point.
This really is at the vanity stage for most users, so its hard to feel irritated on anyone's behalf that the price went down. That's the risk of early buy-in–the price of getting to be on the cutting edge
It still has price of $399. So i think that was not a upsell
It still has price of $399. So i think that was not a upsell
good outlook
2 Trackbacks
[...] from $999 to $399. The news was discussed on Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog, Eye on DNA, bbgm, ScienceRoll, and at Geneforum. It even led Attila to buy a kit. The price drop also prompted a [...]
[...] from $999 to $399. The news was discussed on Dienekes’ Anthropology Blog, Eye on DNA, bbgm, ScienceRoll, and at Geneforum. It even led Attila to buy a kit. The price drop also prompted a [...]