Sam Santhosh
| Sam Santhosh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Engineering (Institution not specified) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Biotech Innovator |
| Known for | Founder of MedGenome, Genomics Research Pioneer |
Sam Santhosh is an Indian entrepreneur, investor, and visionary leader in genomics and biotechnology. He is the Founder and Chairman of MedGenome, a global research and diagnostics company revolutionizing precision medicine through affordable genomic testing and data-driven insights. His work has been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge genomic solutions to India and emerging markets.[1]
Early Career and Background
Sam Santhosh began his professional journey in the technology sector. He founded Calsoft in the early 1990s, a product engineering firm based in California that grew into a global IT services company. With a background in engineering and a sharp business acumen, Sam built Calsoft into a trusted name in the software industry.
Despite his success in IT, Sam shifted focus to the life sciences, driven by a passion for genomics and a desire to apply technology to healthcare challenges.
Founding MedGenome
In 2013, Sam Santhosh founded MedGenome with a mission to make genomics accessible and impactful in India. At the time, genetic diagnostics were prohibitively expensive and limited in availability. MedGenome introduced advanced testing for genetic disorders, cancer, and rare diseases—while also supporting global research with population-scale data from India.[2]
MedGenome quickly rose to prominence by offering:
- Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Cancer genomic profiling
- Carrier screening
- Pharmacogenomics
- Whole genome and exome sequencing
The company has established state-of-the-art labs and built South Asia’s largest repository of genomic data.
Contributions to Genomics and Healthcare
Under Sam's leadership, MedGenome has transformed genomic medicine in India:
- Partnering with hospitals and clinicians across 500+ cities
- Contributing genomic data to international studies
- Educating thousands of doctors and patients through awareness initiatives
He believes in ethical, inclusive innovation and pricing models that enable broad access. MedGenome is also involved in drug discovery, population genetics, and digital health research.[3]
Philanthropy and Ecosystem Building
Sam Santhosh founded the SciGenom Research Foundation to support research, education, and young scientists in the field of genomics. Through this non-profit, he has hosted multiple international conferences and funded scientific outreach initiatives.
He is a mentor to emerging biotech startups and a vocal advocate for integrating science with entrepreneurship to drive societal impact.
Vision and Future Outlook
Sam envisions a world where genomics is an integral part of everyday healthcare. He is focused on:[4]
- Expanding MedGenome’s global footprint
- Building the largest ethnic genomics database
- Advancing AI-driven tools for diagnostics and drug discovery
He believes the future of medicine is personalized, data-rich, and genomically informed.[5]
References
- ↑ https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2024/10/25/indian-pharmaceutical-missed-out-on-manufacture-of-engineered-antibodies-sam-santhosh-at-the-week-health-summit-2024.html
- ↑ https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Jan/26/garden-variety-a-lush-living-tribute-to-van-rheedes-hortus-malabaricus
- ↑ https://www.forbesindia.com/article/leadership/while-starting-up-keep-your-passion-aside-and-see-if-the-idea-has-potential-to-make-money-sam-santhosh/86009/1
- ↑ https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/we-intend-to-take-research-into-the-next-level-of-single-cell-sequencing-sam-santhosh-scigenom-labs/94382518
- ↑ https://biospectrumindia.com/news/66/20973/medgenome-appoints-mahesh-pratapneni-as-group-ceo-.html