Mercator Genetics

Mercator Genetics was a pioneering genomics company based in Menlo Park, California, that specialized in identifying the genetic basis of common hereditary diseases. The company is most renowned for its 1996 discovery and cloning of the HFE gene, which is responsible for hereditary hemochromatosis, a prevalent iron-overload disorder. This breakthrough allowed for the development of the first definitive genetic diagnostic tests for the condition, moving beyond traditional biochemical screening. Mercator utilized a sophisticated positional cloning approach to map disease-related genes, positioning itself as a leader in the early wave of functional genomics. In 1997, the company was acquired by Progenitor for approximately $30 million.