Genome Medical uses specially formatted clinical-grade data to boost genomics

As a result, it can now more easily find clinical trial patients matching ultra-rare diseases or mind-boggling clinical requirements.
By Bill Siwicki
11:14 AM

Jill Davies, CEO of Genome Medical

Photo: Genome Medical

Genome Medical is making genetics care accessible and actionable for patients through seven-day-a-week access to genetic services. By partnering with health systems, molecular testing laboratories and life sciences organizations, Genome Medical is expanding the practice and impact of genomic medicine to improve patient care.

One such example of how it does this is by supporting biopharmaceutical organizations in accelerating the design, development and time-to-launch for life-enhancing therapeutics.

While it already has been working with biopharmaceutical companies in a variety of ways, it knew the opportunity existed to expand its reach and impact.

Clinical-grade formatted data

To help address this opportunity, Genome Medical began working with a vendor called xCures, which takes medical data in various formats and transforms it into a streamlined, clinical-grade format that can be used by patients and physicians alike.

"Partnering with xCures provided us an opportunity to help our partners further accelerate clinical trials by identifying clinically qualified trial participants," said Jill Davies, CEO of Genome Medical. "With xCures, we are able to augment the patient data we already have – adding more robust patient clinical histories from the EHR, such as diagnoses, medications, prior treatments and more."

Genome Medical delivers genetic counseling services to more than 6,000 patients every month. Through its collaboration with xCures, and with patient consent, medical records are accessed within minutes via health information exchanges and a secure search platform.

"After including this additional view of the patient's clinical history, we apply AI algorithms that feed inclusion/exclusion (I/E) criteria to uncover eligible patients for specified clinical trials," Davies explained. "By appending additional clinical data to each record via xCures, we have a robust and continuously growing patient population to identify and activate for clinical trials.

"And with our deep genetics and clinical expertise and strong patient-provider relationships, we are turning the tides of a traditionally slow, cumbersome trial enrollment process," she added.

Massive network of specialists

Genome Medical claims to have the largest national network of telehealth genetic specialists who average 10 years clinical experience and cover a spectrum of clinical specialties including oncology, reproductive health, cardiology, pediatrics, rare disease and proactive health.

"This positions us to help our partners and their patients navigate the often intimidating and confusing diagnostic journey to find a clinical trial or genetic therapy that helps them better manage their health condition," Davies said.

The organization's use cases and results span the spectrum from high-volume chronic conditions to low-incidence rare diseases. For example, Davies reported:

  • One clinical trial needed participants for an ultra-rare disease that affects one in 70,000-100,000 people. Genome Medical identified seven eligible patients.
  • A clinical trial for a common chronic disease required complex criteria for patient matching, including a coded diagnosis, a specific prescription within the last 12 months without concurrent use of other excluded medications and treatments, the exclusion of several other conditions, and more. The organization identified 161 patients.
  • And an oncology clinical trial needed patients with specific genetic markers plus the exclusion of previous treatments. The organization identified 33 patients.

"During our patient intake process for providing genetic counseling services we are able to give patients an option to be recontacted by Genome Medical if we become aware of a clinical trial that is relevant to their clinical condition," Davies noted.

Full clinical records review

"So, after the I/E criteria match I mentioned, our team of genetics experts conduct a full clinical records review for all qualified patients that meet the criteria," she continued. "For those who do, we are able to follow up with them directly and, if interested, provide them with the clinical trial enrollment information."

The process of identifying, reviewing, recontacting and connecting each of these cohorts is completed in less than two weeks.

"Taking advantage of available clinical data and technology is critical for the advancement of successful clinical trials, but even with AI, there needs to be the inclusion of the human element – for care quality and for patient engagement," Davies advised her peers. "At Genome Medical, that human element is our clinical expertise and a trusted patient/provider relationship."

Follow Bill's HIT coverage on LinkedIn: Bill Siwicki
Email him: bsiwicki@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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