New Genomics Lab Will Leverage AI to Advance Precision Medicine

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) and Genomic Testing Cooperative (GTC) are launching a next generation sequencing reference laboratory that will use artificial intelligence to advance precision medicine.

The state-of-the-art laboratory will be located at JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, and will initially focus on cancer before expanding to immune diseases and various chronic conditions. The lab will bring genomics to the active screening and prevention program at HMH.

"Investing in genomics and establishing a reference laboratory in genomics represents a new phase for Hackensack Meridian Health and demonstrates our commitment to be a leader in improving patient care," noted Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. "We believe that precision medicine based on genomics not only delivers better medicine but is more efficient and cost effective."

Molecular testing can provide deeper insight into tumors’ genomic signature. Molecular tests look for alterations in the cancer’s DNA and RNA that drive the disease’s growth and spread. Testing could uncover one or several causes that could offer insight into how the tumor will behave.

The goal of the tests is to offer diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive information about targeted options.

"Paired DNA and RNA profiling is increasingly recognized as the new standard in precision medicine and GTC is leading in developing clinical utilizations for this approach,” said Dr. Andre Goy, physician-in-chief for Oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health and chair of John Theurer Cancer Center.

“Although we are currently using genomic information for diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, we are only touching the surface of how this technology can be applied. The collaboration between HMH and GTC will facilitate bringing this technology faster to everyday patient care."

The new facility will not only serve physicians in the HMH network, but will provide outreach service to physicians and hospitals on the East Coast. GTC will develop artificial intelligence and algorithms to advance the work of the lab.

"Collaborating with HMH to open a reference laboratory on the east coast is a part of our plan in democratizing next generation sequencing and building a network of genomic laboratories that offer sophisticated high-quality molecular testing,” said Maher Albitar, MD, chief executive officer and chief medical officer at GTC.

“These laboratories will use the same algorithms and artificial intelligence approach in analyzing data with cross validation, so the data can be grouped and used for developing new applications and new indications. This collaboration will allow GTC to co-develop new tests with HMH utilizing real world clinical and outcomes data provided by HMH."

The new reference laboratory will build on the previously announced next generation sequencing laboratory operated by Regional Cancer Care Associates in their practice located at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, which provides services for RCAA physicians.

With this new laboratory, the organizations expect to enhance genomics and precision medicine for cancer and other prevalent conditions.

"HMH is highly patient-focused and GTC is a leader in genomic diagnosis and this partnering will not only represent a unique opportunity for advancing medicine and health outcome, but could have implications on health policies as well," explained Mark Stauder, chief operating officer, Hackensack Meridian Health.