3Billion, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered rare disease diagnostics company, announced on Thursday that it has become the first Asian firm selected as an official diagnostic partner for the iHope program, run by the global rare disease patient organization Genetic Alliance.
The iHope program, which began as a corporate social responsibility initiative by global genomics leader Illumina, has evolved into a worldwide precision medicine support project managed by the Genetic Alliance.
Its mission is to improve diagnostic access and guide treatment strategies for pediatric rare disease patients in underserved regions by providing whole genome sequencing (WGS).
As Asia’s pioneering partner, 3Billion will collaborate on diagnosing pediatric rare disease patients in developing nations. The company plans to deliver a reliable whole-genome sequencing (WGS) based precision diagnostic system, drawing on its experience in genetic diagnostic services across more than 75 countries and its cutting-edge AI-driven variant interpretation technology.
Research from the iHope program reveals that employing WGS as a primary diagnostic tool in resource-poor, low-income countries can achieve a rare disease diagnosis rate exceeding 60%.
Moreover, the clinical impact is significant, with over 70% of diagnosed patients seeing changes in their treatment or management approaches. In light of these findings, 3Billion aims to boost diagnostic efficiency using its proprietary AI variant interpretation technology, helping to reduce the diagnostic odyssey for patients in developing countries.
Genetic Alliance Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sharon Terry emphasized that ending the diagnostic odyssey for children with rare diseases requires partners with both technical prowess and global reach. 3Billion’s inclusion as an official Asian partner will bolster iHope’s diagnostic network and mark a crucial step towards expanding equitable precision medicine worldwide.
3Billion CEO Kim Chang-won stated that they’re proud to advance global public health by offering the AI genetic diagnostic services to patients often overlooked by precision medicine. They’re committed to providing ongoing technological support to ensure all suspected rare disease patients can access accurate diagnoses and optimal treatment paths, regardless of geographic or economic constraints.
Through this partnership, 3Billion aims to expand its influence in the global rare disease diagnostic ecosystem and continue the international growth of its AI-powered genetic diagnostic platform.