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The evolving promise of genomic medicine

How advanced technologies are transforming healthcare and life sciences

After the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, early successes in genomic medicine fell short of the initial high expectations. But today, a potent mix of influences — including innovation in biology and technology, market demand and consumerism — is furthering an evolution that crosses industries.

Healthcare providers can now personalize care plans thanks to lower sequencing costs that allow genomic data to be combined with electronic health data. Life sciences companies can develop targeted therapies that prevent and alleviate disease symptoms. To capitalize on new advances in science, cognitive computing, analytics and drug discovery, senior leaders across the ecosystem should act quickly to: make genomic medicine a key component of enterprise strategy; address relevant skill gaps; and determine how partnering can bolster critical capabilities.

Consider what is different now:

  • In the healthcare industry, the decreased cost of whole-genome sequencing — coupled with new advances in cognitive computing and drug discovery — has created a new paradigm where genomic data will soon be combined with electronic health data. Care providers are increasingly relying on genomic data to add a unique level of personalization to an individual’s care plan. Cognitive computingand other analytics technologies can provide for precision care where decision support enables a reliable diagnosis and care plan, including treatment options.
  • In the life sciences industry, the stage is set for a radical transformation. New medical and technological capabilities will increasingly lead to innovative clinical trials, the development of targeted therapies and a focus on health outcomes to prevent and alleviate disease symptoms.

These major changes are positively impacting the three “cornerstones” of genomic medicine: sequencing, translational medicine and personalized healthcare. As genomic medicine continues to proliferate, the importance of a solid privacy, ethical and legal framework to support the complexity of genomic medicine will also become vital.

The field of oncology is already experiencing advances in genomic medicine that are expected to increase on a larger scale through sophisticated genome/proteome/RNA analysis. Coupling such analysis with cognitive computing, oncologists can provide rapid precision oncology decision support.


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Meet the authors

Takahiko Koyama

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, Lead Scientist - Watson Genomics, IBM Research


Heather Fraser

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, Global Lead for Healthcare and Life Sciences, IBM Institute for Business Value

Originally published 21 May 2014