Genetics and Genomics Channel on WebMD - Brief Article

Applied Genetics News, April, 2000

Healtheon/WebMD Corp. (400 The Lenox Bldg., 3399 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta, GA 30326; Tel: 404/479-7600, Fax: 404/479-7651, Website: www.www.webmd.com) and Kiva Genetics (2375 Garcia Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043; Tel: 650/210-3500, Website: www.www.kivagenetics.com) have announced a strategic partnership. Healtheon/WebMD will create a genetics and genomics channel on each of its portals--WebMD Health, its consumer portal, and WebMD Practice, its professional portal--and Kiva Genetics will be the exclusive provider of content related to genetics and genomics for these channels.

Under the terms of the agreement, Healtheon/WebMD will receive $35 million over five years from Kiva Genetics and content for WebMD Practice and WebMD Health. In addition, Healtheon/WebMD will make an equity investment in Kiva Genetics, and Healtheon/WebMD and Kiva Genetics will share in revenues generated by the genetics and genomics channels. Healtheon/WebMD will promote and market the channels through online and offline advertising.

Kiva Genetics will provide medically- and scientifically-reviewed original, current content, including articles, general interactive tools, reference databases, and referral resources relating to genetics and genomics--the study or analysis of an individual's DNA and the study of the human genome for research, clinical diagnosis, and medical management. This information is designed to provide in-depth, robust information of interest to genetics specialists and other medical personnel with an interest in genetics and genomics. It also will help consumers more fully understand how the revolution in human genetics will play a role in managing healthcare. Kiva Genetics will provide access to recognized genetics and genomics experts for live online chats at their website: www.webmd.com .

"We believe that the most compelling opportunity today lies at the intersection of genomics and information technology, says Hugh Rienhoff, CEO of Kiva Genetics. "By focusing on very large-scale clinical genetics studies, we hope to identify genetic profiles that dictate personalized treatment strategies and more accurately predict how a disease progresses."

"We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with Kiva Genetics because it allows us to better serve the health information needs of people with a genetic component to their disorders, their families, the healthcare professionals who care for them and the researchers who are studying clinical genetic applications," says Charles Saunders, chief medical officer of Healtheon/WebMD.