On Friday, 3Billion announced the appointment of Dr. Eric Zmuda, a renowned expert in global genomic diagnostics, as Vice President and Laboratory Director of its U.S. subsidiary.
This strategic move aims to accelerate the establishment and operation of 3Billion’s clinical laboratory in the United States, while aggressively expanding its rare disease diagnostic services in the local market.
Dr. Zmuda brings over 15 years of experience in genomic diagnostics and is board-certified in clinical molecular genetics.
His extensive background includes leadership roles at Myriad Genetics, a pioneer in genetic testing, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he oversaw the entire spectrum of genomic diagnostic operations, from lab setup to large-scale testing.
At Myriad Genetics, Dr. Zmuda managed a CLIA-certified lab performing over 500,000 prenatal genetic tests annually. He implemented artificial intelligence (AI) driven automation for genetic variant interpretation and reporting, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
His career also spans basic medical research at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and a key role in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) cancer genome project, TCGA, where he led the biorepository core facility.
In his new role, Dr. Zmuda will spearhead the development of 3Billion’s Austin Lab, the company’s first overseas clinical facility. He will oversee the critical process of obtaining CLIA certification and College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation, while managing all aspects of testing from sample reception to sequencing and genetic variant analysis.
3Billion plans to leverage Dr. Zmuda’s expertise in large-scale lab automation, integrating it with their proprietary AI genomic interpretation technology. This synergy aims to enhance testing efficiency and processing capacity, establishing a competitive edge in the U.S. clinical testing market.
Kim Chang-won, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 3Billion, expressed confidence in the appointment: Dr. Zmuda’s proven track record in clinical genomics and large-scale testing operations at leading U.S. institutions is invaluable. His CLIA lab management experience will be crucial in strengthening our diagnostic capabilities and expanding the footprint in rare disease genetic testing.
Dr. Zmuda shared his enthusiasm: Joining 3Billion, a company at the forefront of AI-driven genetic diagnostics, is exciting. He’s committed to successfully establishing the Austin lab and securing necessary certifications. The goal is to provide more patients and healthcare providers with access to swift, efficient rare disease diagnostic services.
Founded in 2016, 3Billion is a pioneer in AI-powered genetic testing for rare diseases. The company’s innovative diagnostic platform analyzes patient genomic data to identify disease-causing genetic variants. With a focus on whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) for rare disease diagnosis, 3Billion is poised for its KOSDAQ debut in November 2024.