Genomics & Health: Personalized Medicine Program

Genome BC is funding three new projects through this program:

Genome BC launched the Genomics and Health: Personalized Medicine Program (the "Program") with funding provided by the government of BC and others, as part of Genome BC's 2010-2015 strategic plan, to build on several initiatives of strategic importance to the province that expand existing capabilities in the translation of discovery science to everyday life.

The Program is a $9M program with $3M coming from Genome BC and the remainder obtained from other Canadian and international sources identified by applicants. The Program will further build upon Genome BC's current "Applied Genomics and Translational" programs such as: the Translational Program for Applied Health, the Applied Genomics Consortium Program and the Applied Genomics Innovation Program.

The Program aims to demonstrate that genomics–based research can be translated into the health care system in a cost effective manner. It is hoped that this Program will be the foundation on which a larger initiative would be funded to implement the translation of innovations based in genomics into the health system.

The Program is expected to support translational research with outcomes that will be applied in a clinical setting. Funded research will provide an evidence-based approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and engage the healthcare providers, payers and regulatory bodies. Funding will be provided for up to 24 months in areas related to:

  • the use of new molecular diagnostics that improve decision making in a clinical setting;
  • the implementation of novel therapeutics or existing therapeutics for novel indications
    into the health system;
  • the improvement of public health outcomes; and,
  • initiatives that promise to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the health
    care system.

Proposals that fall into any one of these areas were welcome to apply. However, projects must have been sufficiently advanced such that the outcomes of preceding research are tangible and the deliverables include the translation of the innovation for use in the health system. The Program will typically provide funding support in the range of $250,000 - $1,000,000 per project towards the overall project budget. Projects are strongly encouraged to use BC technology platforms and facilities.