As a clinical genomics company, Newfound Genomics focuses on clinical and medical information as the starting point in its search for disease-relevant genes. Its belief is that collecting and analyzing detailed clinical and genetic data relating to the presence of disease, or the risk of disease, is more effective in discovering disease relevant genes than focusing on genetic data alone. This is because clinical data also allows for the identification of individuals who exhibit risk traits toward becoming affected by disease and their relevant clinical measurements. This information allows Newfound Genomics to conduct a more focused search of genetic data by looking for genes and SNPs shared by individuals affected by some disease or with risk traits in common.

Newfound Genomics' scientific goal is to identify the specific function of genes and SNPs that relate to common human diseases. This is accomplished by analyzing extensive high quality clinical measurements and genetic samples from groups of donor volunteers.