UGenome AI Announces Partnership with Jura Health for Expediting Diagnoses and Treatment Timelines for Rare Disease Patients
January 13, 2025 08:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time
TUCSON A.Z. – UGenome AI, a pioneer in genomic platforms to fuel personalized medicine, today announced a strategic partnership with Jura Health, Inc. to leverage UGenome technology for rare disease patient diagnosis and personalized plans. This collaboration will empower those with rare genetic disorders to learn about their pharmacogenomic profile faster, shorten diagnosis and treatment timelines, and support disease outcomes.
In the U.S. alone, around 30 million people – roughly 1 in 10 – live with a rare disease. Almost 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin, and over half have a pediatric onset2. Rare disease patients often visit multiple physicians, many seeing 16 specialists on their diagnostic journey3, and receive incorrect diagnoses before they get an accurate genetic diagnosis, delaying treatment and impacting their quality of life. In addition to the ramifications for patients, the health care system accrues $220,000 per rare disease patient in avoidable costs from the extended diagnostic journey4.
“We are excited to partner with Jura Health, as our pharmacogenomic profiling tool can provide insight into drug responses for their rare disease patients, helping to get patients information on treatment options based on their genomic profile. In particular, our platform empowers rare disease patients and their providers with information on drug-affecting genes so they can see how specific treatments might interact based on their genomic profile,” said Zachary Brooks, PhD, founder and CEO of UGenome AI. “By using our platform, Jura Health can inform rare disease patients about their genetic makeup and minimize off-target effects, driving reliable outcomes with reduced unintended consequences and unmatched precision.”
More than 95% of patients have at least one actionable drug-gene interaction that could affect drug-related outcomes5, making personalized genetic profiling a key component of providing top-tier care to patients. With increasing opportunities to incorporate pharmacogenomics, patients stand to see improvements in their care and treatment outcomes.
“This collaboration will further hone our whole genome sequencing (WGS), genetic counseling, and next step support, providing an even more personalized plan for individuals facing the complexities of rare genetic disorders,” said Chris Moore, CEO of Jura Health. “The average time to a diagnosis for a rare disease patient is 6 years. Jura Health aims to reduce that to 1 month, and this partnership with UGenome AI will significantly expedite and improve the care journey for these patients and support the providers who serve them.”
About UGenome AI
UGenome AI is a startup biotech company focusing on developing genomics software. UGenome AI is advancing genomics analysis and helping patients receive personalized care, faster. Our products stem from our personalized reference genome and pharmacogenomics tools to help patients receive personalized treatments within weeks, not years. For more information, please visit www.ugenome.bio.
About Jura Health, Inc.
Jura Health, a privately held Public Benefit Corporation, is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with rare diseases through advanced genetic testing, comprehensive counseling, and unwavering advocacy support. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a patient-centered approach, Jura Health strives to provide accessible and equitable healthcare solutions for all. Jura Health is the first in the country to offer a comprehensive platform addressing the overwhelming unmet need for diagnosis and ongoing support currently experienced in the rare disease community. For more information, please visit www.jura.health.
Contacts
For UGenome AI Inquiries:
Zachary Brooks
zachbrooks@ugenome.io
For Jura Health, Inc. Inquiries:
Chris Moore
For Media:
Emma Bardin
References
- https://rarediseases.org/state-report-card-2024/
- Chung CCY; Hong Kong Genome Project; Chu ATW, Chung BHY. Rare disease emerging as a global public health priority. Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 18;10:1028545. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1028545. PMID: 36339196; PMCID: PMC9632971.
- https://everylifefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CMS-4201-P-EveryLife-Foundation-for-Rare-Diseases-Comments.pdf
- https://everylifefoundation.org/delayed-diagnosis-study/#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20the%20diagnostic%20odyssey,benefit%20from%20recent%20medical%20advancements
Chanfreau-Coffinier C, Hull LE, Lynch JA, et al. Projected Prevalence of Actionable Pharmacogenetic Variants and Level A Drugs Prescribed Among US Veterans Health Administration Pharmacy Users. JAMA Netw Open.
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