Interesting things are unfolding in San Diego with Pathway Genomics, a company with a CLIA lab that offers genetic testing to physicians. On November 12, it was announced that the IBM Watson Group had invested in Pathway Genomics. The two companies said that they are teaming up to deliver “the first-ever cognitive consumer-facing app, based on genetics from a user’s personal makeup.” Called Panorama, the app will interact with Watson’s cognitive computing capabilities to allow “consumers to ask health related questions, in their own words and receive personalized and relevant responses,” stated Stephen Gold, Vice President, IBM Watson Group.
MORE ON: Pathway
The Panorama app is designed to allow the consumer to upload medical records and connect tracking devices like Fitbit. It will also accept genetic information, regardless of which lab performed the genetic test. Pathway Genomics is one of the fastest-growing start-ups in the genetic testing space. Earlier this year, it was ranked 33rd on Inc. Magazine’s annual list of the fastest-growing 500 private companies, based on a three- year growth rate of 2,415.5%.
DIGITAL PATHOLOGY TRAINING IN THE UK
Digital pathology is making steady inroads in clinical settings. Earlier this month, the University of Bradford in England announced a collaboration with Phillips Digital Pathology Solutions. The university will offer the United Kingdom’s first formal academic training program in digital pathology for both undergraduate and graduate students. The goal is to train the students in how to use new digital tools to support diagnostics.
TRICORE TO TACKLE BIG DATA
TriCore Reference Laboratories of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is embarking on an ambitious project to harness big data, including lab test results, to bring more value to patient care. TriCore is working with Wave, the Salesforce Analytics Cloud. The lab wants to provide physicians with a medical platform “that can display chronological health data in order to optimize clinical processes.” Because it serves 70% of the New Mexico lab testing market, TriCore believes it is positioned to help physicians with population health management.
Dark Daily Update
Have you caught the latest e-briefings from DARK Daily? If so, then you’d know about…
…how a team at Stanford University used nanotechnology to develop a diagnostic test for type-1 diabetes that can be performed in a physician’s office and does not require a specimen collected by venipuncture.
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