Relentless #46 - Noor Siddiqui, Founder & CEO of Orchid
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Sep 11, 2025 
Noor Siddiqui, the Founder and CEO of Orchid, pioneers innovative embryo screening technology aimed at safeguarding unborn children. She discusses the emotional journeys of families navigating reproductive health and the vital need for equitable access to genetic screening. The conversation dives into the complexities of IVF and how patient demands can drive technological advancements. Noor also shares personal insights on overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship and the societal shifts surrounding genetics and reproductive choices.
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Whole-Genome Embryo Screening
- ORCHID sequences ~99% of an embryo's genome rather than ~1%, giving parents far more data.
- That extra data lets parents screen thousands of diseases and compare genetic risk percentiles between embryos.
Selecting Genetics To Reduce Risk
- Parents can change a child's genetic risk by selecting among embryos with different polygenic risk scores.
- Noor frames this as an unprecedented ability to reduce lifelong disease risk before birth.
Baby Shower For An ORCHID Baby
- Noor describes a San Francisco baby shower by the Golden Gate Bridge celebrating an ORCHID baby named Astra.
- She says seeing multiple healthy babies increased friends' interest in starting families and IVF.