WeGene

What WeGene does

WeGene (Shenzhen Zaozhidao Technology Co., Ltd. / 深圳市早知道科技有限公司) is a Shenzhen-headquartered direct-to-consumer and clinical genomics company founded in 2014 that operates a multi-tiered personal genome testing platform for the Chinese population. Its core offering consists of microarray-chip genotyping kits (Basic ¥599, Standard ¥799) and whole-genome sequencing kits (Youth ¥2,499, Full ¥3,999) covering ~750k SNPs to >30 billion bases respectively, and generating 900+ reports across ancestry, health risk, nutrition, psychology, exercise, skin and pharmacogenomics categories. A self-developed Chinese Genotyping Array (CGA), co-developed with Illumina and built on 100,000+ Chinese genomes, powers the consumer and clinical pipelines, and is processed at what the company describes as China's largest automated iScan genotyping chip laboratory and the first domestic DNBSEQ-T7 sequencing laboratory, with stated throughput exceeding 1 million samples annually.

The business model is a hybrid of DTC and B2B revenue streams with one-time perpetual-license pricing. The DTC channel distributes through the official website, mobile app, WeChat Mini Program and Tmall storefront, while a parallel international channel (English website with USD pricing) supports overseas users with raw-data import/compatibility for 23andMe, AncestryDNA and MyHeritage via the $29.99 UltraReport service. Enterprise revenue comes from clinical pharmacogenomics panels sold to 100+ psychiatric and tertiary hospitals (psychiatric drug sensitivity covering 87 drugs across 7 categories, pediatric medication safety covering 110 drugs, coronary heart disease precision medicine, diabetes risk assessment) and large-scale research collaborations (e.g., the 200,000-participant Fudan Taizhou Cohort, the 18,000-sample perioperative cohort at West China Hospital, the 6,000-WGS COPD cohort at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, and the PLA 301 Hospital multi-center coronary cohort). The 2024 launch of the 悦龄Bio+ methylation-based aging detection line (¥2,249–¥2,499) extends the offering into epigenomics with biological age, organ age, telomere length and immune-function metrics across 270,000 CpG sites, and the company operates an open developer API (api.wegene.com) plus integrations with third-party apps (GeneU, SNPedia, GEDmatch, TheYtree).

WeGene has received 100M+ RMB of disclosed funding led by BGI Genomics, Puhua Capital and Beike Society, holds National High-Tech Enterprise (2017), Shenzhen Specialized & Innovative SME (2023), "Little Giant" (November 2024) and national genomic-data-security standards participation credentials, and maintains medical testing laboratories in Shenzhen (Pingshan) and Hong Kong (Tsim Sha Tsui) in addition to its Futian headquarters. Backed co-founding investor BGI Genomics provides both capital and a DNBSEQ-T7 sequencing platform relationship that underpins the WGS product.

Name

WeGene

Legal name

深圳市早知道科技有限公司

Website

https://wegene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WeGene is a Shenzhen-based direct-to-consumer and clinical genomics company, founded in 2014, that sells Chinese-population-optimised genotyping and whole-genome sequencing kits plus methylation-based aging tests to Chinese consumers, hospital pharmacogenomics programs and large academic research cohorts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Personal Genomics Services

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511), Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Genetic & Prenatal Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD), Population Genomics & Preventive Precision Health Programs (HLAAANAL), Molecular & Genetic Testing (PCR/NGS/qPCR) (HLAGADAF), Multiplex & High-Throughput Diagnostics Platforms (microarrays, digital PCR, lab automation-enabled assays) (HLAAALAL)

Keywords

• Personal genomic testing
• Clinical pharmacogenomics
• Epigenetic aging detection
• Whole genome sequencing
• Population genomics research

Headquarters

HQ city

Shenzhen

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: One-time purchase model for personal genome testing kits sold directly to consumers. Products include Basic Version (¥599), Standard Version (¥799), Whole Genome Sequencing Youth Version (¥2,499), and Full WGS (¥3,999). Revenue is generated from initial kit sales with终身免费更新 (lifetime report updates) included.
2. Epigenetic Aging Detection: Sale of WeGene 悦龄Bio+ methylation-based aging detection tests, including micro-needle version (¥2,499) and finger-prick blood version (¥2,249). These tests provide biological age, organ age, telomere length, immune function, and exposure damage assessments.
3. Clinical Pharmacogenomics Testing: B2B sales of pharmacogenomics testing services to hospitals and clinical institutions for psychiatric drug sensitivity, children's medication safety, coronary heart disease precision medication, and diabetes risk assessment.
4. Scientific Research Services: Comprehensive research platform services for large-scale population cohort studies, including sample storage, information management, DNA extraction, genetic sequencing, chip detection, population data analysis, and follow-up services.
5. Enterprise Bulk Purchasing: Corporate employee health benefit programs providing genetic testing as part of employee wellness packages.
6. UltraReport Service (International): International market offering raw data import and analysis service at $29.99 USD for users who have existing genetic data from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or MyHeritage.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WeGene operates a personal genomics platform that provides direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits (microarray chip-based and whole genome sequencing) with methylation-based aging detection (悦龄Bio+), clinical pharmacogenomics testing for hospitals, and population genomics research services for academic institutions. The company processes DNA samples at its Shenzhen and Hong Kong laboratories using its self-developed Chinese Genotyping Array (CGA) and BGI's DNBSEQ-T7 high-throughput sequencer, generating lifetime-updated health, ancestry, drug-response, and aging reports for consumers plus clinical decision-support for healthcare providers.

Product overview

WeGene operates a multi-tiered personal genomics platform centered on consumer genetic testing products with clinical and research extensions. The core consumer offerings include three microarray-based testing tiers (基础版 at ¥599, 标准版 3.0 at ¥799 with 900+ reports, and full WGS options at ¥2,499-3,999 with 3 billion base coverage), supplemented by the 悦龄Bio+ methylation-based aging detection product line (¥2,249-2,499) that extends genomics into the epigenomics domain. Clinical services provide pharmacogenomics panels for psychiatric medications, pediatric safety, cardiovascular precision medicine, and diabetes management. The platform also includes an UltraReport imputation service for data import from competing services, third-party application integrations (GeneU, SNPedia, GEDmatch, TheYtree), and research collaboration infrastructure supporting large population cohort studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 悦龄Bio+: Epigenetic age testing service using methylation detection technology for measuring biological age, organ age, telomere length, immune function, and exposure damage
• CGA (Chinese Genotyping Array)

Products and services

• WeGene Personal Genome Test - Basic Version (检测基础版)
• WeGene Personal Genome Test - Standard Version 3.0 (检测标准版 3.0)
• WeGene Whole Genome Sequencing - Youth Version (全基因组测序青春版)
• WeGene Whole Genome Sequencing - Full Version (全基因组测序)
• WeGene 悦龄Bio+ Aging Detection - Fingertip Blood Version (衰老检测指血版)
• WeGene 悦龄Bio+ Aging Detection - Microneedle Version (衰老检测微针版)
• Psychiatric Pharmacogenomics Testing (精神类药物基因检测)
• Pediatric Safe Medication Genetic Testing (儿童安全用药基因检测)
• Coronary Heart Disease Precision Medication Genetic Testing (冠心病精准用药基因检测)
• Diabetes Risk Assessment Four-in-One Genetic Testing (糖尿病风险评估四合一基因检测)
• WeGene UltraReport Service
• Population Genomics Research Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 900 official reports covering 15 major categories including health risks, hereditary diseases, ancestry, nutrition, and psychology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (香港科技大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2019Strategic partnership signed in April 2019 for genomic big data and AI development, with续签 (renewal) of strategic cooperation agreement in March 2024. Joint research in genomic AI applications.
• IlluminacoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership established in April 2018 to serve Asian markets, jointly releasing the Chinese Genotyping Array (CGA).
• BGI Technology (华大科技)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for personal genome health management services.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (赛默飞世尔)supportingTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership in personal genome health management field.
• DNA GenoteksupportingTechnology or IntegrationLong-term cooperation agreement signed in February 2017 for personal genome sample collection devices (ORAcollect·DNA OCR-100).
• BGI Zhiyuan (华大智造)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launching the 'Everyone's Genome Era' initiative using BGI's DNBSEQ-T7 sequencer. WeGene is China's first DNBSEQ-T7 laboratory. DCS empowerment program launched for Chinese scientists.
• Fudan University Taizhou Health Science Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on Taizhou Cohort study - a 200,000 person population-based cohort established in 2007 with 1.5 million biological samples.
• Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-building cognitive disorder clinical cohort study with three sub-cohorts (cognitive normal, Alzheimer's disease, vascular cognitive impairment) for research on cognitive disorder mechanisms.
• China-Japan Friendship HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on China Adult Lung Health (COPD) research cohort with 6,000 whole genome sequencing samples completed.
• PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Academician Gao Changqing, establishing large-scale coronary heart disease patient follow-up cohort across 8 clinical centers, exploring big data health management and pharmacogenomics applications.
• West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerioperative surgical population cohort study examining genetic, immune-inflammatory, and endocrine factors affecting post-surgical prognosis.
• Peking University First HospitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerKidney disease mechanism and population cohort study analyzing GWAS data to reveal lupus nephritis immune mechanisms and establish phenotype-genotype relationships.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopulation phenomics and genomics cohort studying skin appearance phenotypes and their interaction with genes using system omics and AI methods.
• Peking University School of Psychology and Cognitive SciencessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch on stress and psychological traits studying genetic factors and childhood experiences, pressure perception, and future orientation correlations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 23andMe: Pioneer of DTC genetic testing with microarray-based ancestry and health reports. Directly comparable product model and pricing architecture; also a source of inbound raw-data users for WeGene's UltraReport service. Recent bankruptcy and pivot illustrate category-level risk.
• AncestryDNA: Global DTC genetic testing leader focused on ancestry with health add-ons. Comparable product mechanics (microarray chip, online reports) and overlap with WeGene's raw-data import program, though its primary orientation is genealogy rather than health.
• MyHeritage: DTC genetic testing with ancestry and health offerings, particularly strong in European markets. WeGene supports MyHeritage raw-data import, indicating overlapping customer profiles; comparable product packaging and consumer positioning.
• 23Mofang (23魔方): Leading Chinese direct-to-consumer genetic testing company offering microarray-based personal genome tests with similar ancestry, health and trait reports. Closest head-to-head competitor in the China DTC genomics market with overlapping product positioning and pricing tiers.

Regional players

• Annoroad (安诺优达): Chinese genomics company offering clinical and research sequencing services. Comparable in clinical genetic testing and hospital channel sales in China, with overlap in reproductive health and oncology-adjacent panels.
• Novogene (诺禾致源): Major Chinese genomics services provider focused on research-grade sequencing and bioinformatics. Overlaps with WeGene's research collaborations and B2B sequencing services, though Novogene's primary market is academic and pharma research rather than consumer.

Emerging players

• Helix: US-based population genomics and DNA-app-store platform. Comparable in operating a sequencing infrastructure layer that powers third-party applications and in integrating external data sources for interpretation — analogous to WeGene's open API strategy.
• Prenetics / CircleDNA: Asia-focused consumer genomics brand offering WGS-based premium testing. Comparable premium-tier WGS product (~USD pricing) and similar expansion into lifestyle and health insights; relevant benchmark for WeGene's higher-end WGS and international pricing strategy.

Broad incumbents

• BGI Genomics (华大基因): China's dominant genomics company and WeGene's largest strategic investor. Operates DTC testing, clinical genomics and large-scale sequencing services at much greater scale; competes with WeGene on hospital B2B and DTC while supplying core sequencing technology.
• iCarbonX (碳云智能): Chinese AI-driven health data platform combining multi-omics, including consumer genetic testing. Comparable positioning at the intersection of genomics and consumer health/longevity, and a relevant benchmark for WeGene's methylation-based aging extension.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wegene

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WeGene