What is the name of your solution?
SOMOS Familia Biobank
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
SOMOS Familia: Worlds First Decentralized Panamerican Biobank
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
As Latinos-Hispanics we represent less than 1% of ancestry populations included in genomic studies
Despite being 25% of world's pharmaceutical revenue and accounting for 1/6 (+60M) of the US population (largest minority) and +650M worlwide, there has never been a drug specifically developed for Latinos.
We barely exist for science considering that we represent less than 1% of clinical trials!
What is your solution?
Our People, Our Mission | Your DNA, Your data
We are the revolutionized 23andMe for Latinos creating state of the art algorithms and unique datasets derived from years of R&D;
We have developed the highest resolution ancestry service for Latinos by
creating the most complete genome reference panel for Latinos.
SOMOS algorithms and platform allow users to connect back with their indigenous roots in just a couple clicks and a saliva sample.
We are representing +800 Indigenous Nations in the worlds first:
Decentralized Panamerican Biobank (The SOMOS Familia Biobank)
SOMOS is the first ancestry company to succesfully implement through strategic partnerships (genobank.io) a blockchain based DNA wallet that enables full governance and ownership to each user over their DNA data (as it always should be!)
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
There are +650Million Latinos worlwide (almost 10% of worlds population)
+60Million Latinos in the US will have the best platform with expanded services beyond just high resolution ancestry.
Considering MIT has predicted 100M ancestry users by the end of 2022 and the growth of the Latino population in the US, we can expect close to +18M Latinos taking a DNA test within the next years.
It is well known for science that populations react different to drugs and medical treatments.By including one of the most genetically diverse populations (Latinos), researchers and companies will have access to unique data that can help identify new potential targets for drug discovery and tailored treatments that will benefit our latino communities
In order to expand the quality and resolution of our services we are
creating the worlds first decentralized panamerican biobank, without
owning any samples.
Instead SOMOS walks the talk, we establish long term, sustainable and transparent relationships with Indigenous communities to generate decentralized data that derives in unique knowledge.
Our first mission is to serve our indigenous Nations in Mexico+70 communities and +500 in Latin America (phase 2-3)
We continue to scale our resolution and services to become by 2023 the first platform to enable Precision Medicine for Latinos.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
We met 13 year ago in Med School, have worked together in Mi ADN (first company incorporated in Mexico by Federico). Have turned a long and lasting friendship into a shared passion. We received two grants by the Mexican Government to do genetic research in indigenous communities;
2019 winners of Masschallenge-Accelhub Bridge to Boston,2020 winners of LatinX Fest,2021 Voces de la comunidad Latina in the US.
We are passionate for technology in Medicine as a powerful tool to help exponentially.
We have built a group of professionals, researchers, advisors,ambassadors and teammates with unique experience in health, understanding of the Latino communities from the social, scientific and commercial perspectives.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Build fundamental, resilient, and people-centered health infrastructure that makes essential services, equipment, and medicines more accessible and affordable for communities that are currently underserved;
Where our solution team is headquartered or located:
Mexico City, CDMX, MéxicoOur solution's stage of development:
GrowthHow many people does your solution currently serve?
+5000 active Users in our Platform, We expect to grow 10x to +50,000 users within the next year.
Why are you applying to Solve?
SOMOS is a community dependant, mission driven solution that generates social impact within a community level. Being of part of MIT Solve will help us create strategic alliances and identify potential partners to scale faster prioritizing return on society before return on investment.
We are a voice for the underepresented communities and partnerships are the best way to create sustainable impact
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Business model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
MD Federico von Son- CEO,
What makes your solution innovative?
SOMOS: THE MOST COMPLETE DNA PLATFORM FOR LATINOS
Historically, the diversity represented through different populations DNA for genomic research has been overwhelmingly biased which creates gaps in knowledge about the genomes from people in the rest of the world thus delaying Precision Medicine development
.
At SOMOS we work dilligently to enhance Latin American diversity inclusion and representation in genomic research.
SOMOS is the First Descentralized Pan American Biobank to Unlock Precision Medicine Solutions through the understanding of Latino Genetic Information
At SOMOS we are rewriting reality by mapping the latino genome to enable precision health solutions for our future generations.
We are creating the largest decentralized Pan American Biobank (in history) to unlock Latino Precision Medicine, Without owning any sample! ;
Instead we are empowering participants that join to own their data and have always the consensus and freedom to decide to participate.
SOMOS core vision is based on 3 critical and unique pillars:
1.- Data decentralization (all the data collected is owned & governed by each participant through blockchain technology)
2.- Latino driven (Somos partners with indigenous communities & leaders for dynamic decision making)
3.- Social remuneration (incentive alignment for participants)
Latinos use traditional medicine tools that have been developed through caucasian scientific databases. We are the first company focusing on aggregating Native American data to improve the genetic services and enable precision medicine for Latinos.
SOMOS is creating an ecosystem based on data integration to understand better how genomics will improve precision health and wellness of our Latino people and nations
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
Next Year:
- More than 50,000 Latino users in the SOMOS platforms via existing sales and partnership channels
- 7 new indigenous communities added to the pipeline and 700 samples in total; This means short, medium and long term incentives and relationships with communities to address their needs and including them in our Collaborative Science Model
- Implementation and integration of 3 new genomic reports for Latinos (wellbeing, nutrition, fitness)
- First NFTs (Non fungible tokens) marketplace for Native American Indigenous artists-artisans
- Win 3 Retail distribution partnerships in the Latino Market
- Establishing collaborations with private and public healthcare institutions for massive data collection
Next 5 Years:
-Worlds First Decentralized Panamerican Biobank: +500 Indigenous Communities represented for the first time in genomic databases and clinical trials
- We will become the first and largest Pan American Organization for Dynamic and Democratized Digital Health
Integrated by 2 pilars:
1. Pan American Latam Biohub Consortium for Biotech & Bio banking
Democratization and Decentralization
2. Ancestral Assembly for Recognition & Reward and self
determination of the Indigenous Nations
Creating the First Digital Collaborative Economy Ecosystem for Science & Technology Self Sustainability
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
1.a.2 Proportion of total government spending on
essential services (education, health and social protection
3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from
non-communicable diseases through prevention and
treatment and promote mental health and well-being
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial
risk protection, access to quality essential health-care
services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable
essential medicines and vaccines for all
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular
developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and
management of national and global health risks
What is your theory of change?
Precision Medicine can’t be translated into practice for minorities.
The reason: lack of representation in scientific databases
The real problem lies in data generation, who is generating genetic and health data from underrepresented groups and how is that data being generated and treated?
We have asked our selves this question for years and committed many mistakes during the process
The answer: lack of trust in science and lack of will to implement technology for the masses and for good
Decentralizing data builds trust with indigenous communities (we have personally visited a dozen of indigenous communities and discussed this issue), and this mirrors the Latino community concerns about data sharing and safety
A scalable metadata approach needs to build a responsible, transparent, traceable and honest framework for data sharing and science generation
Reasons Why Traditional DNA companies don’t take into consideration our Latin America Nations and Communities…
It requires Purpose and Passion
Mainly because increasing the representation of diverse participants in genomics research requires investing time, energy and resources intentionally to develop trust and create long sustainable relationships between communities and researchers to ensure that genomics research is both equitable and inclusive.
Cultural and Legal Complexities
It involves creating bridges beyond language, geography, colors and ideas to create consensus. For the last 5 years we have been traveling and connecting Indigenous Nations throughout the continent to amplify their voices within digital ecosystems.
Glass Ceilling in Emerging Countries
Capital & Investments for Science and Tech Development tend to follow regional support within developed nations; Traditional DNA companies and their Governments invest in their own communities and networks creating a glass barrier for precision medicine advancement in underrepresented populations
Centralization, Consensus and Privacy
Centralization of resources by Institutions in emerging countries has created "Data hoarders” (DinosauruScientists as we call them ) that slow the pace of innovation;
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
In which countries do you currently operate?
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
How many people work on your solution team?
7
How long have you been working on your solution?
5 years
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
We are all about diversity. We understand the needs of Latin America as all of our team are Latinos based in Latin America and some of our advisors are from Indigenous background.
Part of our short term incentive plan in our collaborative science model within the communities is to enable connectivity and STEM/Web 3.0 Education to teach fishing skills for the Digital economy.
We know that education is the way for sustainable change!
What is your business model?
1.SAAS: State of the Art highest resolution Latino DNA Ancestry service and Health actionable insights.
98,000,000 USD considering 10% of the total addressable Latino genetic ancestry testing Market according to MIT projections.
Subscription upsells: 49,000,000 USD with a 50% yearly churn rate
2.DAAS: (data as a service): Licensing of IP for Pharma companies. Our unique Latino biobank is highly needed for successful drug development and validation. Contracts range from 60-400 musd depending on the approach
3. Moonshot: genetic target identification and drug development tailored for Latinos and Native Americans. Example of one highly prevalent disease in Latinos (NASH): market size equals 22.5 bn usd, and no drug has been developed yet.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, to other organizations, or to the government?
Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?
Our Direct to Consumer services are our key to sustainability in the short term. At this moment we are profitable, self sustainable with zero debt.
Our medium term growth financial strategy includes monetization through data access for the pharma industry.
SOMOS is democratizing the Genomics industry by decentralizing data, empowering users with consensus and transparency:
Solution Team
-
CR
Christian Rodríguez Díaz MD & CTO -
MD Federico von Son CEO, SOMOS Inc
to Top
Our Organization
SOMOS (somosancestria.com)