Genomics: Making a Difference

By Alison Symington

Much has been written lately about the lack of translation of Canadian research discoveries into the marketplace, especially in the area of genomics. The rhetoric of the “valley of death” that straddles the passage of discovery to marketplace is dominated by a discussion about the lack of venture capital or lack of a thriving entrepreneurial spirit in many of the research laboratories in Canada.

While many support this point of view, there are examples that show that genomics has started to come of age and is ready and poised to provide specific solutions to meet the demands of a market-driven economy.

A report released by Battelle Technology Partnership Practice in May 2011 clearly indicates such a trend, that indeed, genomics can have an impact on economic growth and job creation. In its study on the economic impact of genomics technologies and the Human Genome Project in the U.S., BTPP reported that between 1998 and 2010, the Human Genome Project along with associated research and industry generated over US$790 billion and created over 310,000 jobs with only an initial investment of US$3.8 billion. In 2010 alone, there was over US$3.7 billion dollars in taxes generated by this exciting field. Canada with its clear global leadership in research in the genomic sciences can take note of this as it seeks to translate its genomic discoveries into the marketplace.

In Ontario, two companies: DVS Sciences and FIO Corporation, provide excellent examples of the impact that genomic science can have both locally and globally.

DVS Sciences is an Ontario success story having developed and now marketing a high throughput mass cytometer, the CyTOF®, which provides researchers with data about multiple markers on the surface of individual cells at any one time. This data is essential in providing researchers the ability to look at individual cells and make predictions about disease and drug interactions. In 2011, the CyTOF® was described as a “game changer in biological science” by the journal, Science and in Jan. 2012, was recognized as one of the top 10 innovations in science

And with these successes it becomes evident that genomics has a role to play in overcoming one of the biggest challenges facing the Canadian economy, the rising cost of health care.

by The Scientist magazine. DVS Sciences is a company spun out from research performed at the University of Toronto, which was funded through multiple federal and provincial grants including grants from Genome Canada and the Ontario government. In 2011, DVS secured a US$14 million series A financing and established production facilities in both Markham, ON and Sunnyvale, CA which has enabled the company to commercialize its instruments and reagents to the global market.

Likewise, one of the most exciting applications derived from genomics research is the development of point-of-care diagnostic tools. Dr. Michael Greenberg of FIO Corporation and Dr. Kevin Kain, director of the McLaughlin-Rotman Center for Global Health and senior scientist in the division of genomic medicine at the Toronto General Research Institute have developed a portable point of care device that is capable of performing diagnosis of multiple infectious diseases simultaneously. Designed to work at the bedside, a small drop of the patient’s blood is inserted into the SmartreaderTM for rapid diagnosis and the information is sent to smartphones or computers for data retrieval. The development of this device was originally funded through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute as a research project that brought together academic and industrial partners. Development of the device and its ongoing field trials have led to private financing and the development of a large facility in downtown Toronto. This device has already been involved in successful field trials involving over 3,000 separate cases and 18 different clinics including evaluation by the U.S. Department of Defence in Africa.

And with these successes it becomes evident that genomics has a role to play in overcoming one of the biggest challenges facing the Canadian economy: the rising cost of health care.

Specifically, one of the greatest influences of genomics on pharmaceutical development is the move away from the ‘one-size-fits-all’ philosophy to a genetically-tailored approach. Known as personalized medicine, this is really the opportunity to ensure that the right drug reaches the right person, at the right time and at the right dose. Not only will personalized medicine have a significant impact on the design and preparation of clinical trials, which in time should reduce drug development costs, but it will also allow for the tailoring of treatments and M drugs to specific genetic profiles. This will lead to a significant reduction in adverse events while efficacy will rise. In addition, costs to the health care system will drop as these hospitalizations will be reduced.

As little as 10 years ago, this would have been considered a “fringe” technology but there are several areas where genetic testing has already made a difference to drug treatment choice, such is the case with Herceptin and Gleevac. Ongoing investigations in areas such as rheumatoid arthritis and treatments for schizophrenia look to make significant impact in the treatment of chronic diseases, a major driver in health care costs.

In each of these programs, drug efficacy is being matched to genetic profiles so that clinicians will be able to more accurately assess which patients will respond to the treatment they prescribe. The development of the technologies above will bring them more quickly to the hospital and specifically to the bedside.

As genomics moves from a discipline unto itself to a suite of tools that will be used across many sectors including health, environment and food, its impact on the economy and innovation will undoubtedly grow. It will be important for the community to build on successes and look for best practices so that the innovation that genomics technologies can bring will be more quickly translated to the marketplace.

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