Through Family History And Genetics
A Vision Two Decades Ahead Of Its Time
In 1996, long before genetic testing was a buzzword and decades before terms like “precision medicine” entered mainstream healthcare, software entrepreneur Mike Brammer was already envisioning a future where doctors would rely on family health history to guide care. His first venture, Progeny, was built to support genetic research at a time when scientists were beginning to suspect hereditary links in conditions like cancer. Progeny’s pedigree-mapping software—used to chart inherited disease patterns in families—quickly became the global standard in research institutions.
But research wasn’t where the story ended.
As Progeny gained traction, it began to enter the clinical realm. Brammer could see where things were headed: genetics wasn’t just for labs anymore—it had a role to play in real-world medicine. “The idea that genetic data could guide medical decisions made total sense to me,” he said. But when Progeny was sold to Ambry Genetics in 2015, that vision began to drift. The acquiring company was focused on lab services, and the broader, patient-facing potential Brammer had foreseen wasn’t part of their roadmap. So, in 2018, he walked away—and started over.
The Birth Of Famgenix
That fresh start became FamGenix, a company built not just on Brammer’s software expertise, but on more than two decades of deep experience in the genetics space.
“FamGenix is what I would have built from the start if I had known everything I know now,” he said. Launched in 2021, FamGenix is now used by four of the top ten cancer centers in the U.S., with global adoption in places like Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. But the company’s true mission is simpler—and more profound.
“Most people don’t realize how powerful their family health history is,” Brammer said. “It’s the key to identifying risk before a condition develops.” FamGenix helps people collect and manage that information digitally, and share it with healthcare providers in a way that can actually impact medical decisions.
Why Family History Still Matters In The Age Of Genomics
While direct-to-consumer tests like 23andMe have popularized the idea of DNA-based health screening, FamGenix is focused on something more foundational: the role of inherited disease risk in preventative care. Its platform uses smart algorithms to assess risk across roughly a dozen major cancers, including breast, colon, prostate, and melanoma.
The logic is straightforward. If you carry a mutation in a gene like BRCA1 or BRCA2, your lifetime risk for developing breast cancer jumps from about 10% to 80%. Knowing that early means you can take action—whether that’s enhanced screening, preventive surgery, or lifestyle changes. Angelina Jolie’s now-famous decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy brought that message to the public eye. FamGenix aims to bring it to the rest of us.
But identifying those at risk starts with something far simpler than a lab test: a conversation. “Your doctor might ask if cancer runs in your family,” Brammer said. “But that’s where it usually ends. Nobody’s compiling that data in a way that makes it useful.” FamGenix changes that. Its app lets users document health history from parents, siblings, grandparents—and as conditions are diagnosed, update that history in real time.
From Self-reporting To Smart Screening
Here’s how it works: A patient enters their family medical history into the FamGenix platform, ideally with input from older relatives. The software processes that data and flags individuals at increased genetic risk. From there, a provider can order a genetic test. It’s a targeted approach—far more cost-effective than testing the general population. “Insurance companies actually prefer it,” Brammer said. “You’re doing your due diligence to find the people most at risk.”
This kind of proactive identification is already reshaping care. In one pilot program at Sanford Health, patients can opt in to genetic research via a simple swab. The results are returned to both patient and provider, creating a feedback loop that improves care. “That’s the future,” Brammer said. “And FamGenix is enabling that conversation to happen.”
From Precision To Personal—the Human Impact Of Genetic Data
Despite being on the cutting edge of genetic technology, FamGenix isn’t just a backend solution for labs. It’s a platform designed for people—patients, clinicians, and families. Its true innovation lies in simplicity: give patients the tools to record their family medical history accurately, update it when needed, and share it seamlessly with their healthcare providers.
“Our goal is to make this process a part of normal life,” Brammer said. “Instead of scrambling to remember what happened to Aunt Judy when your doctor asks, you’ve already got the information recorded. And if your cousin was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, you can update your history right after hearing about it at Thanksgiving.”
That living, evolving record could change everything. An updated entry could mean someone now qualifies for insurance-covered genetic testing, or that a doctor will recommend early screenings for colon or breast cancer. It’s all about staying one step ahead.
Privacy, Security, And A Changing Landscape Of Trust
FamGenix’s promise comes with a critical responsibility: safeguarding highly personal genetic data. Brammer is direct on the subject. “From day one, we decided never to sell user data. It’s not even an option.” That decision stands in stark contrast to some early entrants in the space, particularly consumer-focused platforms like 23andMe, which built parts of their business model around data sharing with third parties.
“The difference is trust,” Brammer said. “People are right to be cautious. This is their genetic blueprint. It should belong to them.”
FamGenix adheres to both HIPAA regulations and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which makes it illegal to use genetic information to discriminate in employment or health insurance. And looking ahead, Brammer sees a world where people may choose to license their anonymized data for research—and get compensated for it.
“You might opt into a study that fits your genetic profile. We’d send you a secure invite, and you decide if you want to participate,” he said. “The key is choice. Your data, your call.”
How Many Genes Matter?
There are about 30,000 genes in the human genome. Of those, only ~82 are considered clinically actionable by guidelines like those from the CDC and ACMG.
Pharmacogenetics And The Future Of Tailored Medicine
While FamGenix’s roots are in cancer risk, the possibilities extend far beyond. Brammer is especially bullish on pharmacogenetics—the ability to tailor drug prescriptions to a person’s genetic makeup.
“There are already medications that simply don’t work for people with certain gene variants,” he explained. “So why waste time and money prescribing something that won’t help?”
Instead of the trial-and-error approach that currently defines much of modern medicine, genetic insights can help doctors prescribe the right drug from day one. It’s not science fiction—it’s happening now. FamGenix isn’t a testing lab, but it’s the bridge that gets patients to those discoveries faster.
And the platform isn’t limited to oncology or pharmaceuticals. Genetic markers tied to heart disease, autoimmune disorders, even dietary sensitivities are already being explored. In some cases, it can mean access to clinical trials. In others, it simply offers peace of mind.
When The Mission Gets Personal
For Brammer, FamGenix’s mission took a deeply personal turn in an unexpected way.
As a high school student, he and his now-wife faced an unplanned pregnancy. They chose adoption, and for decades, had no contact with their firstborn son. But years later, thanks to genetic testing, that son found his biological family. The reconnection was nothing short of miraculous—and it brought a powerful full-circle moment
“When we finally met, he looked at me and said, ‘I have a son with autism, and every time we go to the doctor, they ask about family history. I’ve never had one,’” Brammer said.
“And I just smiled and said, ‘You’re not going to believe this, but I’ve been building that exact tool.’”
He pulled out his phone and showed him the FamGenix app—the same one he’d spent years developing. “I sent him our entire family history that night.”
Later, he discovered something else remarkable: his newly reunited son had grown up in the same town—South Bend, IN—and had even crossed paths unknowingly with other relatives. “It was surreal,” he said. “This work isn’t just professional. It’s personal.”
Building The Future Of Preventative Healthcare—from Fargo To The World
It might surprise some to learn that FamGenix—a company working at the bleeding edge of genetic software—chose to plant its headquarters not in Silicon Valley or Boston, but in Fargo. For Mike Brammer, the decision was strategic, practical, and personal.
“Launching during COVID, we didn’t open a traditional office right away,” Brammer said. But as FamGenix began gaining traction, the team started looking for a home base. A key advisor connected him with Richard Walsh of CorVent Medical, who introduced Brammer to Fargo’s bioscience network. Through that connection, he met local officials and economic development leaders who were eager to support innovation in the state.
That support materialized in the form of a grant from the North Dakota Bioscience Innovation program, and Brammer quickly realized he’d found a long-term partner in the region. “Coming from Florida, it was almost shocking how accessible and supportive the community was,” he said. “In North Dakota, you can actually call someone in government, and they’ll help you. That just doesn’t happen in bigger states.”
FamGenix now operates out of the NDSU Research & Technology Park near the airport, with only a few employees on-site with the others remote, but increasingly centralized in Fargo. “We want this to be our corporate headquarters long-term,” Brammer said. “The infrastructure, the talent pipeline, and the values here align with what we’re trying to build.”
Building The Future Of Preventative Healthcare—from Fargo To The World
As CEO, Brammer’s days are a blend of product development, strategic planning, and nonstop communication. “Software never sleeps,” he said. “You’re always iterating—responding to feedback, adjusting the roadmap, and pushing toward market readiness.”
Much of that feedback comes directly from healthcare providers—some of the top cancer centers in the world. By working with early adopters and clinical thought leaders, FamGenix refines its tools to meet real-world needs, not just theoretical use cases.
And it’s not just about tech.
Brammer spends a significant part of his time evangelizing the concept of preventative genetics— meeting with clinicians, health systems, and insurance providers to show them what’s possible. “If we can help one doctor screen a patient earlier, and that patient avoids a late-stage cancer diagnosis, that’s success. That’s what drives us.”
There are already medications that simply don’t work for people, so why waste time and money prescribing something that won’t help?”
Breaking Through Healthcare’s Inertia
FamGenix is on the frontlines of a slow but inevitable shift. Preventative care is gaining momentum, particularly among younger generations who expect personalized, data-driven experiences in every aspect of life— including medicine.
Still, the healthcare system isn’t built for speed. Legacy infrastructure, insurance complexity, and a shortage of incentives all conspire to make change hard. “But it’s happening,” Brammer said. “Little by little, more systems are waking up to this.”
The numbers help tell the story. The U.S. spends over $5 trillion annually on healthcare—yet far too much of that is reactive. FamGenix offers a different approach: anticipate risk, intervene early, and avoid the worst outcomes.
It’s not just about saving money. It’s about preserving quality of life. “Nobody wants to get sick,” Brammer said. “But if you know what’s coming, you can prepare. You can push it back. That’s everything.”
Did You Know?
FamGenix is already being used in the United States (including 4 of the top 10 cancer centers, Canada, Europe and Australia.
Looking Ahead: The Era Of Informed Health
Brammer believes we’re approaching a new normal—where genetic data is as standard as a cholesterol reading, and where family history isn’t scribbled in a folder but stored in a secure, living record. A world where doctors don’t just ask, “Do you have a history of this?”—they already know, because the information is shared, accurate, and integrated into your care.
It won’t happen overnight. But FamGenix is doing the work to make it real.
“In 1996, I was told that every doctor would take a family history in five years,” Brammer said. “Well, that was almost 30 years ago. But I still believe it’s going to happen. It has to. The benefits are just too powerful to ignore.”
From software to storytelling, from cancer centers to a living room in South Bend, FamGenix is a reminder that healthcare isn’t just about data—it’s about people. And knowing your history might just be the key to shaping your future.
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