RARECast: Invitae Seeks a Faster, Cheaper Path to Diagnosing Genetic Diseases

Invitae is changing medical practice by brining genetic testing into the mainstream. The company says it seeks to aggregate most of the world’s genetic tests into a single service with higher quality, faster turnaround time, and a lower price than many single-gene and panel tests available today. The company recently announced new additions to the genes it tests for representing a major expansion of its panels for neurology, pediatrics and rare diseases. We spoke to Bob Nussbaum, chief medical officer for Invitae, about its expanded tests, how the company is able to maintain its low price point, and the implications for rare disease patients.

RARECast is a weekly series by Daniel S. Levine. Levine is an award-winning business journalist who has reported on the life sciences, economic development, and business policy issues throughout his 25-year career. He founded Levine Media Group in 2013, which produces The Bio Report and RARECast podcasts. Read his full bio here.