Berry Genomics and Prenetics Announce Key Management Hires for Consumer Genetics Testing Platform

  • New Company to be called “Circle DNA” and operational by Q2 2019
  • Ex-Senior Executive from Google China joins as CEO
  • Global genetics testing market expected to be worth USD 50-billion per annum by 2026[1]

BEIJING, Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — China’s leading clinical genomics testing company, Berry Genomics (SHE:000710), and Prenetics Limited — the leading genetics testing company in Southeast Asia and Europe — today announce key management hires. In addition, Berry and Prenetics has established the name for the new company to be called “Circle DNA”, as the meaning for it comes from Circle of Life. The company further announces that Circle DNA will be operational for business by the end of Q2 2019.

Circle DNA announces 3 key management hires below:

Joe Yan — Joe joins as CEO. Joe most previously was Google China’s General Manager, Strategic Partnerships. Joe also had senior management roles as Vice President of VIP.com, Managing Director for Fosun Group, Director of Corporate Development and Vice GM for Alibaba Group, and GM of Global Selling and Head of BD for Amazon China.

Claire Wang — Claire joins as COO. Claire most previously was COO / CMO for 23Mofang, a consumer genetics testing company in China. Claire also had numerous senior management roles in health related companies including Distribution Operations Manager at Proctor & Gamble.

Candy Liu — Candy joins as Head of Marketing. Candy most previously was Senior Product Marketing Manager for LVMH Group. Candy also had senior marketing roles as Marketing Manager for PepsiCo China, Senior Product Manager for L’oreal China.

Joe Yan, CEO of Circle DNA says: “Leaving Google was certainly not an easy decision but I feel this opportunity with Circle DNA is a once in a lifetime opportunity. My personal experience in the Internet and in the field of big health has shown me the tremendous growth potential of the consumer genetics testing market. I believe we can help consumers greatly improve their quality of life and health by providing personalized, predictive and preventive genetic testing services. I’ve been very impressed with the vision set out by Berry and Prenetics and I can’t be more excited to lead Circle DNA to success.

Daixing Zhou, CEO and Co-Founder, Berry Genomics, says: “We have always maintained a high level of interest in the huge potential of the consumer genetics testing market. We believe scientifically validated consumer genetics testing can provide an important reference data for public health. Consumer genetics testing aligns well with Berry’s goals, and is very relevant to the livelihoods of people.

Zhou, also says: “We sought out to find the best talent we can in the Internet, Consumer and Healthcare space, we are very proud we now have 3 key executive management leaders with such impressive careers whom are equally passionate about disrupting healthcare utilizing genomics. We remain highly enthusiastic and are very optimistic about the business and societal impact that Circle DNA will make across millions of people here in China.”

Danny Yeung, CEO and Co-Founder, Prenetics says, “Having a solid founding team is critical for any business and we are extremely grateful and happy with our initial core management team. By the end of Q2, our goal is to launch the industry’s most comprehensive consumer genetic testing platform utilizing advanced genetic sequencing technology. I look forward in working closely with Joe and the rest of the founding team to embark on a journey that will be very memorable and one where we will be immensely proud of.”

About Berry Genomics:

Founded in May 2010, Berry Genomics (SHE:000710) is a pioneer in China’s genomics industry, dedicated to transforming gene testing technologies from lab only into clinical applications. Berry Genomics has successfully spread genomics testing as a valuable disease screening technology, and built a strong network with academics and doctors. Berry Genomics keeps continuous investment in R&D, and exploring more solutions of detecting more diseases. Berry’s mission is to serve society to improve the genetic health of all peoples for the benefit of humankind.

Berry Genomics is headquartered in Beijing and has set up 8 medical testing laboratories in 8 cities. It has a production base in Hangzhou, and set up Xcelom Limited in Hong Kong. The company serves over 2,000 hospitals in more than 30 provinces. In August 2017, Berry Genomics was successfully listed on the main board of China A shares. For more information, please visit the company’s official website: http://www.berrygenomics.com/

About Prenetics

Prenetics is one of the leading global genetics testing and digital health companies. The Company has a team of over 120 people, and is spread across eight offices in Asia, Europe and South Africa.

Prenetics’ mission is to help people lead healthier, more active lives by empowering them with personalized, predictive, and preventive measures in the form of the latest, proven innovations in DNA and mobile technology. With backing of over $50mn strategic investments from powerhouses such as Alibaba and Ping An, Prenetics is helping millions of people live healthier lives. Learn more at www.prenetics.com

Media contact:

Berry Genomics: Ms. Karen Jiang, jiangke@berrygenomics.com 
Prenetics: Mr. Ivan Li, ivan@prenetics.com 
Circle DNA: Mrs. Candy Liu, candy@circledna.com

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