Legend Yusuf Henriques

Over 20% of the global population have African ancestry

Less than 3% of their genetic data is used in drug discovery

Before founding IndyGeneUs AI, Henriques established Polaris Genomics (formerly TruGenomix Health Inc.), a precision genomics behavioural health company focused on improving risk prediction and diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly among veterans. A US Army veteran himself, during Henriques' leadership a genomic assay was developed that is now being validated at the Department of Veteran Affairs hospitals across the US to address the high rate of suicides among veterans and active soldiers.

Henriques spent two decades in the US Army and civil government services, having first enlisted at the age of 17. He served as a Combat Medic for six years, in Afghanistan, Korea, Bosnia and Germany.

After being honourably discharged due to service-connected injury, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Howard University, graduating magna cum laude. He went on to hold a number of consultant positions including lead regulatory scientist for the Strategic Innovation Group at Booz Allen Hamilton, and currently mentors 21 startup companies through the nonprofit Black Tech Matters.

At IndyGeneUS, he leads strategic direction and partnerships as well as investor relations. The company recently formed a $500 million partnership with HelaPlex to expand the genomic repository of IndyGeneUS and prevent the exploitation of the genetic data that is naturally owned by people of African descent.

ABIGAIL HIRSCH

CO-FOUNDER OF LIN HEALTH ABIGAIL HIRSCH TELLS US HOW THE DIGITAL HEALTH PAIN MANAGEMENT PLATFORM IS HELPING PEOPLE ADDRESS CHRONIC PAIN

Q. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO LAUNCH LIN HEALTH?

»Chronic pain takes a toll on a person mentally, emotionally, and physically. The system intended to treat chronic pain is complicated, care delivery is not continuous and there isn’t a one size fits all approach. The digital health landscape presents the opportunity to create a new care system and our focus on pain is driven by our personal real-life experience.

Q. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL HEALTHCARE PLATFORMS FOR CHRONIC PAIN?

»They can be used anywhere and at any time, unlike conventional treatment plans where you have to navigate wait lists and often travel long distances to see a provider skilled at working with your particular type of pain. While it can be more challenging to establish a sense

“Digital platforms allow patients to access care when they need it, on their own schedule”

of deep care with patients in a virtual format, digital platforms allow patients to access care when they need it, on their own schedule.

We designed Lin to incorporate a wide variety of treatment options and users have access to expert knowledge within every aspect of pain management. Lin is also more affordable than seeing a pain management specialist and provides patients with a much faster option than if they were to join a months-long waitlist to be accepted into a top pain clinic.