Nucleus Genomics launches embryo IQ and disease screening — the world's first consumer genetic optimization software for IVF

Summary

Nucleus Genomics launched Nucleus Embryo, software that lets couples undergoing IVF upload embryo genetic data and sort across a full spectrum. The tool covers rare conditions like cystic fibrosis and chromosomal abnormalities, common disease risks including breast cancer and coronary artery disease, and complex traits such as IQ and height.

Founder Kian Sadeghi argues that current IVF clinics test embryos only for rare, severe conditions and miss common chronic diseases that actually kill most people. Polygenic prediction models are scientifically validated for these diseases but clinics do not use them. Nucleus is porting models already built and tested in adult populations to the embryonic context.

Data pipeline

Nucleus partnered with Genomic Prediction, the oldest embryo testing company in the space. Genomic Prediction has performed genome-wide tests for nearly a decade and processed over 120,000 couples for preimplantation genetic testing. The partnership makes it easy for Genomic Prediction customers to transfer their files into Nucleus. Any couple undergoing IVF can request their embryo data from their clinic and upload it directly.

The product sits on top of existing sequencing infrastructure and is not a new medical device. Nucleus does not tell couples which embryo to implant. It surfaces risk scores in plain terms—a 5% absolute chance of a condition rather than a percentile ranking—and has genetic counselors available. Sadeghi argues that trait analyses like height and IQ sit outside FDA medical device territory because they are not disease diagnoses.

Regulatory positioning

Sadeghi does not commit to what happens if FDA scrutiny expands. His immediate priority is getting rigorous scientific results into parents' hands. He maintains that couples should have complete agency over their own embryo data and that trait analyses sit outside medical device logic. The company does not make implantation recommendations, which is its clearest regulatory bright line.

The Theranos comparison surfaced on launch day. Sadeghi's answer is direct: Nucleus does not sequence embryos itself. Partners like Genomic Prediction handle that work, so there is no proprietary device claim to scrutinize. The product is live at pickyourembryo.com, a consumer-facing interactive tool that lets users set trait preferences and generates sample embryo profiles.

Sadeghi says the company took approximately 10 years to build, with around five years spent on underlying informatics.