In Boston this morning as part of the BIO 2018 Conference and Exhibition, Genome Canada launched a national initiative for the clinical implementation of precision health. The initial step will be focused on a rare disease pilot program.

It may seem as a bit of an oxymoron but rare diseases are not uncommon. With more than 7,000 different rare diseases known, the total number of patients starts to add up. In Canada, 8 per cent of Canadians have a rare disease.

Genomics-based precision health holds the promise of improving patient health and improving the delivery of health-care delivery and the new Genome Canada pilot will focus on rare diseases as another step to making the promise a reality for patient.
Genome Canada CEO and President Marc LePage made the announcement during a panel session at BIO 2018 and he told me more about the new program.