MedGenome, a leader in genomics based diagnostics and research in India, at its continuing medical education programme held at Billroth Hospitals, Chennai highlighted the importance of entire spectrum of genetic diseases and non-invasive prenatal care in maternal and child health.

The event, which attracted around 18 consultants from multiple disciplines of medicine covering obstetrics/gynaecology, nephrology, cardiology, neurology and oncology, provided details about the genomics and sequencing technology, its  clinical applications to diagnostic medicine, predictive medicine, personalized medicine and research.

The topic of this discussion was “Genomics based decision making towards precision medicine”, which involved a MedGenome Scientific Affairs team that presented about the current clinical applications of genomics, and the available clinical modalities in India.

Emphasis was on the company’s current capabilities in diagnosing the entire spectrum of genetic diseases and the recent introduction of the Panorama Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in India, for which MedGenome is the exclusive commercial partner for India and the only company to conduct such a test within India.

Dr. Malar Sankar, obstetrician and gynaecologist,  Billroth Hospitals said that the careful integration of NIPT into existing prenatal care keeping in view the advantages and limitations, can help reduce the need for invasive procedures. The availability of end-to-end NIPS services in Bengaluru through the MedGenome’s Natera collaboration would ensure  better turn- around time, clinical support and overall convenience.

“We are the first to conduct non-invasive prenatal testing in a facility in India and we will continue to understand the needs of the doctors and patients to further launch newer genetic tests”, said Sam Santhosh, CEO, MedGenome.

Genetic disorders occur in considerably large numbers in India, with various environmental factors like nutritional deficiencies contributing in addition to genetic predispositions. Genomics in clinical medicine can play a pivotal role in the development of diagnostic/curative measures. Genetics based diagnostics and research have grown to be important aspects of healthcare management in the last few years with decreasing cost of sequencing and developments in interpretation tools and algorithms.