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Doctor discussing prescription with senior patient

North Dakota-based Sanford Health, one of the country’s largest integrated health networks with 43 hospitals and nearly 250 clinics located in nine states, has tapped Translational Software Inc. (TSI) for its pharmacogenomics data and knowledge base, as it looks to significantly expand the system’s genomics program to multiple regions.

TSI, which bills itself as a Knowledge-as-a-Service provider via its PGx platform with an application programming interface (API), will provide Sanford operating division Sanford Imagenetics with access to its proprietary PGx data that includes drug-drug-gene information.

“Our goal is to provide precision medicine through the Imagenetics program so that our physicians are able to provide both personalized care and effective population health management for all Sanford Health patients as part of routine primary care,” said Cornelius F. Boerkoel, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Director, Sanford Imagenetics Research Center on Genomic & Molecular Medicine and Executive Clinical Director, Sanford Genetics Laboratories.

By leveraging TSI’s PGx portal for clinical decision support, physicians will receive a a tailored report with specific molecular data for patients that includes drug efficacy, toxicity, and potential drug-drug interactions. In addition, it provides dosing advice that is based on a patient’s genetic profile while also providing information on treatment and medication alternatives.

With clinical reporting for nearly 40 genes, TSI’s platform is scalable and can be tailored in the future to serve a variety of clinical specialties including cardiovascular, psychiatric, pain, and cancer to meet the Imagenetics program’s needs as it continues to expand.

“Ensuring integrated PGx results reporting, and making PGx data more accessible and less expensive, is a key element toward democratizing genomic medicine,” said Don Rule, CEO of TSI.

Sanford Imagenetics was launched in 2014 aimed at fully integrating a genomic medicine approach with primary care. The program uses family history information and an individual’s unique genetic makeup to both promote health and to manage chronic diseases. According to company information, Sanford intends to bring genetic analysis to bear to both design patient-specific care regimens while also providing preventive care based on each patient’s genetic makeup.

“The impact of genetics on the practice of medicine in the near future will grow to surpass all other diagnostic methodologies currently in the physician’s collection of resources,” notes the company’s website. “By gauging genomic indications of a health concern, applying associated preventative regimens, avoiding triggering events and providing targeted treatments, genetics and the practice of genomic medicine will revolutionize health care.”

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