DNA-Test Startup Helix Cuts Staff, Closes Offices After Shift

(Bloomberg) -- Helix, the genetic-sequencing startup that recently said it would no longer pursue building an “app store for DNA,” has cut jobs and will close two of its four offices.

Justin Kao, a co-founder of Helix and senior vice president of business development and partnerships, declined to say how many people had been dismissed. The company’s San Francisco and Denver offices will be shuttered, while its San Carlos, California, headquarters and San Diego labs and office will remain open, Kao said.

“Because we are realigning our business to focus on population health, we are also refocusing our team in support of this goal,” Kao said in an emailed statement. “Some of those reductions happened voluntarily ahead of our strategic announcement, as team members looked for long-term opportunities that were better aligned with their experience and interest.”

Helix launched in 2015 with $100 million from genome-sequencing giant Illumina Inc. It billed itself as a hub of genetic data where consumers could get tested and then buy various health and personal app-like services.

Earlier this month, closely held Helix said that it would change course and partner with health-care providers instead of directly targeting consumers. Illumina also said that it would no longer hold equity or participate on Helix’s board.

Kao said the company has “plenty of capital and runway” to deliver on its new strategy.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kristen V. Brown in San Francisco at kbrown340@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Drew Armstrong at darmstrong17@bloomberg.net, Timothy Annett

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