“Prevention is better than cure”— if you have not used this phrase before, you have probably heard someone use it. The adage simply means taking control of something before it gets out of hand, and typically, that is what Phosphorus is all about. The company consists of a team of veteran scientists focused on using genomics to better human health. Since its establishment, the specialists have conducted genetic tests that have helped millions of people to prevent potential diseases and enjoy healthier lives.
The co-founder and the current CEO, Alexander Bisignano, is a technology-driven specialist dedicated to improving human health through genomics. The CEO focuses on combining the brightest minds to create technological solutions aimed at controlling genetic diseases. Before developing Phosphorus, Alexander co-founded Recombine, a clinical genetic testing firm that provides genetic testing before pregnancy. CooperSurgical later acquired the company. Alex has played a significant role (developed novel next-generation and genotyping technologies) in both companies. Notably, Alex’s work has been presented in various centers, including the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the American Society of Human Genetics.
The Phosphorus’ CEO believes that partnering with the right specialists and patients and learning his technology is the best way to achieve his ultimate mission. In an interview with DNAWeekly, Alex explained that the company’s mission is to better human health. He said that Phosphorus Diagnostics is a transformation from his previous company, Recombine, which equally worked with reproductive genetics. Alex further stated that limited access and application of genetic testing in medicine are issues they identified when they started the company. He said that less than 4 percent of the American population reported having had a medical genetic test during their healthcare routine. The CEO said that his team wanted to address the potential social, healthcare, and technical challenges that prevent individuals from accessing this advanced technology that could change their lives for good.
Alexander Bisignano told the DNAWeekly that the motivation behind Phosphorus formation was a vast experience in the industry. He worked for about five years in reproductive genetics, where he worked with OB-GYN offices and infertility centers to provide expanded carrier screening. The clinics help patients and couples establish and prevent potential diseases such as cystic fibrosis from passing to their kids. Alex said that through the experience, he learned about the problems regarding the lack of clear medical guidelines to reflect science in genetics. He also noted that there was a massive gap for the average citizen to access genetic testing. However, he said that the technical testing limitations have now developed and made it easier for every person to get genetic testing.
The CEO also said that developing the most comprehensive and advanced medical genetic test for conditions they can predict, such as drug responses, genetic mutations, and monogenic diseases, could help them provide expert guidance. For instance, they developed a test known as PhosphorusONE, which incorporates more than 400 genes focused on the part of the genome they understand better from a medical angle. They then integrated specialists to be performing the process. At the moment, the company has physician authorization, genetic authorization, and sign off available to customers in the U.S. who need the test.However, as Alex and his team reach out to many people, he states that genetic testing is still a challenge to many people across the United States. Even so, most people are starting to know that they can use genes to predict their medical history. Alex says that what he does typically is to identify these conditions before they happen. He told the DNAWeekly that Phosphorus had had more test requests for neurodegenerative disorders from patients and their medical facilities. He also said that considering the current demand, it is evident that many people and medical institutions are starting to understand the importance of genetic testing.