Data and Technology sector_ico_Health_trans Human Health

GenTraceDx: Commercialization of a Turnkey Precision Oncology Platform Featuring Matched Tumor-Normal WES, Real-Time AI-Driven Interpretation, and Clinic-Ready Test Kits for Scalable Deployment

303OTD
  • Project Leaders: Steven Jones, June Wong
  • Institutions: Genome Sciences Center (GSC)
  • Budget: $5758671
  • Program/Competition: Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP)
  • Genome Centre(s): Genome Canada
  • Fiscal Year: 2025
  • Status: Active

Precision oncology aims to treat cancer more effectively by matching each patient with therapies based on the unique biology of their tumour. While this approach is growing rapidly worldwide, many current cancer tests are limited. They often look at only a small set of genes, miss important signals and produce one time reports that quickly become outdated. As a result, only a small percentage of patients receive clear treatment options from today’s tests. 

GenTraceDx, to be developed by BC-based company Genetrack Inc. in collaboration with Dr. Steve Jones from the Genome Sciences Centre, is designed to overcome these limits. It offers a more complete and future‑proof way to guide cancer care. Instead of using restricted gene panels, it analyzes a patient’s entire tumour DNA and RNA, along with normal DNA. This helps identify rare genetic changes, gene fusions and biological pathways that standard tests may miss. GenTraceDx also uses artificial intelligence to continuously re‑analyze patient data as new drugs, biomarkers and clinical trials become available. This turns testing from a one‑time report into an ongoing resource for doctors and patients. The platform is built to work across Canada, including rural and underserved areas, using validated test kits, secure digital portals and established national logistics. A large pilot study is planned to confirm clinical value and accessibility. 

Overall, GenTraceDx aims to improve treatment matching, expand access to clinical trials, reduce ineffective therapies, strengthen Canada’s health system, create skilled jobs and position Canada as a global leader in precision cancer care.