In a groundbreaking move for healthcare innovation, Genome BC has successfully secured over $49 million to propel five state-of-the-art genomics projects aimed at revolutionizing personalized healthcare in British Columbia. This substantial funding is part of the Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI), a national strategy spearheaded by Genome Canada to leverage genomic data for more personalized, preventive, and cost-efficient healthcare solutions.

Genome BC played a pivotal role, contributing $14 million and leveraging an additional $35 million from Genome Canada and other partners, achieving an impressive 2.5x return on investment. This funding is expected to create significant scientific advancements and enhance healthcare systems across the province.

Among the five projects, three are being driven by local BC researchers. Furthermore, BC scientists are actively participating in two national initiatives led by collaborators from other provinces. The primary goals of these projects include improving hereditary cancer care outcomes, enhancing safety in pediatric drug prescriptions, and developing advanced diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases—particularly focusing on improving access for Indigenous and underserved communities.

“This crucial investment in genomics-driven healthcare innovation places British Columbia at the cutting edge of precision health,” stated Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research and Innovation at Genome BC. “These projects not only advance pioneering science but also directly target urgent healthcare challenges faced by our communities.”

Here’s a closer look at the key projects funded:

1. Enhanced Population Hereditary Cancer Care Through Genome Sequencing