News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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New York Genome Center Prepares to Enter Clinical Laboratory Testing Market with Exome and Whole Human Genome Sequencing Assays

Funded by both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, this new gene sequencing center is preparing to offer its first genetic tests for use in patient care

Next-generation gene sequencing for clinical diagnostic applications is moving forward at the New York Genome Center (NYGC). Located in New York City, the center is designed to be a genetic medicine technology incubator and has funding from a number of for-profit and not-for-profit sources.

For pathologists and medical laboratory administrators, this creation and operation of this independent sequencing center is a notable development. It shows the willingness of different organizations to come together and fund a collaborative venture to advance exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing for clinical purposes.

NYGC’s new clinical laboratory obtained a permit from the New York State Department of Health. It also is preparing to submit its first clinical sequencing test—an exome test for inherited disorders—to the state in August, according to a story published in Clinical Sequencing News and posted on GenomeWeb. (more…)

Google Takes First Steps to Create World’s Largest Human Genome Database as Part of Wider Strategy to Become a Major Player in Healthcare ‘Big Data’

Google’s goal is to build a genomics database to facilitate early diagnosis and prevention of life-threatening diseases; may give pathologists a new diagnostic tool

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is preparing to build a human genome database that it says may become the world’s biggest. The company plans to also assemble other medical information, including clinical laboratory test data, as it pursues plans to become a player in the market for healthcare Big Data.

This work will be done by Google X Life Sciences, a new business for Google. The project is known as the Baseline Study. (more…)

More Media Reports of Health Insurers’ Reluctance to Reimburse for Genetic Tests, Thus Angering Many Patients and Causing Medical Laboratories to Go Unpaid

Pathologists should take note that an increasing number of patients who want genetic tests are complaining when they learn their insurance plan will not pay for such tests

Concerned about the increased cost of genetic tests, health insurers are becoming reluctant to pay for many types of molecular diagnostics and gene tests. When refusing to pay for these tests, however, they face a buzz saw of angry patients—many of whom see a genetic test as their last resort for a diagnosis and selection of a therapy that might just work for them.

Reuters recently reported that health insurance companies are reluctant to pay providers for genetic-sequencing tests until more research becomes available. This is a sign for pathologists and clinical laboratory managers that enough patients have been affected by this situation to justify news coverage by a major news source. (more…)

More Media Reports About How Health Insurers Are Reluctant to Reimburse for Genetic Tests, Thus Angering Many Patients and Causing Medical Laboratories to Go Unpaid

Pathologists should take note that an increasing number of patients who want genetic tests are complaining when they learn their insurance plan will not pay for such tests

Concerned about the increased cost of genetic tests, health insurers are becoming reluctant to pay for many types of molecular diagnostics and gene tests. As they do, however, they face a buzzsaw of angry patients—many of whom see a genetic test as their last resort for a diagnosis and selection of a therapy that might just work for them.

Reuters recently reported that health insurance companies are reluctant to pay providers for gene-sequencing tests until more research becomes available. This is a sign for pathologists and clinical laboratory managers that enough patients have been affected by this to justify news coverage by a major news source.
(more…)

J. Craig Venter Joins Race to Crack the Puzzle of Human Aging with New Company That Aims to Sequence 100,000 Human Genomes Yearly

Big Data will play major role as Venter’s team sets out to build world’s largest database of human genotypes, microbiomes and phenotypes

For the second time in recent months, another prominent figure has declared his intention to crack the code of human aging. This time it is scientist and entrepreneur J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., known for his role in sequencing the first whole human genome.

Venter will pursue this goal through a brand new company he launched, called Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI), based in La Jolla, California.

Human Longevity, Inc. Will Compete Against Calico

This is a noteworthy development. Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers already know Venter’s competition in this race is a company called Calico that was founded by several entrepreneurs linked to Google. (more…)

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