Baylor Genetics marks 10th anniversary: A look back at a decade of innovation in genetic testing

Baylor Genetics, the clinical diagnostic laboratory joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and H.U. Group Holdings, marked its 10-year anniversary this year. The company offers a full spectrum of genetic tests and lab services spanning a wide variety of healthcare specialties, including neonatal and pediatric critical care, rare diseases, reproductive health, hereditary cancer and metabolic conditions. BCM and Baylor Genetics leaders look back at the company’s decade of innovation.

Launching a new company

Baylor Genetics was formed on the foundation of the state-of-the-art genetic testing established in BCM’s Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and Human Genome Sequencing Center. In 2004, the department developed and launched a chromosomal microarray, a genetic test that analyzes DNA segments in chromosomes to identify abnormalities. Four years later, the department was the first to offer prenatal CMA testing. In the years that followed, BCM researchers led the way in other genetic testing offerings, including whole exome sequencing, cancer exome, mitochondrial genome sequencing and nuclear gene panel.

Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of the College, led the vision to leverage the BCM’s genetics expertise to work with a leading clinical lab company to form a joint venture. Dr. Brendan Lee, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at BCM, led efforts on behalf of the College.

“It was important to maintain and preserve Baylor College of Medicine’s academic research mission within this new commercial entity,” said Lee, Robert and Janice McNair Endowed Chair in Molecular and Human Genetics at BCM and scientific advisory board member at Baylor Genetics. “We found the right partner in Miraca Holdings, now H.U. Group Holdings, because they embodied and appreciated our academic mission and values.” The joint venture formally launched in February 2015.

Nahki Kitamura, managing executive officer and CFO of H.U. Group Holdings, led the effort on behalf of his company. “Through numerous negotiations regarding the joint venture agreement with Dr. Klotman, Dr. Lee, and Mr. Robert Corrigan (senior vice president and general counsel at BCM), we were able to start the joint venture, Baylor Genetics, with a deep understanding of each other, which I believe strengthened the trust between both parties,” Kitamura said. “Additionally, during the initial phase of the joint venture, I have good memories of going to see a rodeo with BCM members during my six-month stay in Houston. Understanding not only each other’s perspectives but also the cultural differences, as well as the personal trust built with Dr. Lee over 10 years, has contributed to the growth and success of Baylor Genetics, a unique joint venture between U.S. academia and a Japanese corporation.”

Persevering through challenges

The ensuing years presented various challenges as Baylor Genetics navigated a highly competitive landscape for diagnostic laboratories. A commitment to its core values as an academic/commercial hybrid helped pave the way to success.

“Long-term investments in developing new technologies like whole-genome sequencing and growing partnerships in the reproductive healthcare space have helped Baylor Genetics grow and succeed,” Lee said.

“In a market that has seen dramatic change, Baylor Genetics has thrived for a decade. I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated team behind our growth and grateful for the trust of our expanding roster of customers and partners,” said Kengo Takishima, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Genetics. “As pioneers in precision diagnostics, we continue to push the boundaries of science and innovation with an unwavering commitment to our mission of delivering genetic answers that matter.”

Leading genetic testing and research

Today, Baylor Genetics’ whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-exome sequencing (WES) tests are among the fastest and most accurate precision diagnostic tools available. In 2017, the company introduced a non-invasive prenatal sequencing panel for de novo dominant disorders, and in 2024, it introduced targeted RNA sequencing, which advances the detection of certain qualified variants. Last year, Baylor Genetics became the first to offer whole-transcriptomic RNA sequencing through the Medical Genetics Multiomics Laboratory, an academic clinical genetic testing laboratory at BCM.

The company continues to embody the original academic research mission. All lab directors hold faculty appointments at BCM, and the lab supports BCM’s American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics-accredited clinical laboratory fellowship training programs. Baylor Genetics labs also support BCM’s research studies. For example, Baylor Genetics together with BCM is the lead genetic sequencing partner for the National Institutes of Health’s Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN), with approximately 30% of the 2,470 UDN participants affirmatively diagnosed using WGS and WES testing. The company also is increasing access to genetic testing and reducing healthcare disparities through BCM’s NIH-funded genomic medicine initiatives like the Texome Project, which provides genomic testing for medically underserved populations in Texas, and Project GIVE, which is addressing disparities in access to genetic services for children with rare diseases along the Texas-Mexico border.

By Molly Chiu