Precision medicine advancements are real as demonstrated by the high volume of molecular, “precise” drugs now on the market that are based on extensive molecular and translational understanding of the specific drug targets. Furthermore, new technologies such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, CRISPR/Cas9, and digital phenotyping are expected to broaden and sharpen our ability to identify novel therapeutic targets and treatment options.

“Since sequencing of the human genome fifteen years ago, we have gone from genomics to “universal”-omics, but the real challenge is developing a process to integrate and translate new found knowledge into solutions that will improve the ability to meet patients’ needs.”

Bill Dalton, Ph.D., M.D., Founder, Executive Chair, M2Gen and Co-Chair PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley

We need a system that identifies patients’ needs and provides subsequent evidence to track and monitor how we meet those needs, and then deliver promising medical solutions to everyone. PMWC 2019 SV’s emphasis will be on the acceleration and the challenges that are associated with the delivery of the newfound precision medicines with the goal to make them accessible to all and fully inclusive. Along those lines, one of the agenda’s focuses is a discussion around the Ecosystem of Shared Value in Precision Medicine, which requires us to work with the various stakeholders, which include patients, researchers, caregivers, regulators, and payers. This primary list of stakeholders has to come together to support building a resource which helps provide clear evidence of the value of different therapies and endpoint metrics so we can understand who are the patients most likely to benefit from a particular treatment .

There are various challenges that we need to address:

• Technological/scientific
  • How do we build the information systems and utilize new technologies and scientific discoveries to provide evidence of value and precisely determine best solutions for patients?
• Cultural
  • How do we incentivize the various stakeholders to come together, share and collaborate, and build an ecosystem of shared value that all stakeholders can use and advance precision medicine?
• Business model
  • How do we build a resource that provides the evidence at the point of care, that is inclusive, that benefits all stakeholders, and that improves society

“To fully realize the promise of precision medicine we must incorporate data on environmental factors and social determinants of health, and aim for innovative prevention as well as treatment of disease.”

India Hook-Barnard, PhD, Director of Research Strategy Associate Director, Precision Medicine, University of California San Francisco and Co-Chair PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley

“The opportunity to move data and insights from the lab to knowledge in the clinic and the community so that we can improve human health has never been greater.”

Nancy Davidson, M.D., Sr. VP, Director and Full Member, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Co-Chair PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley

PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley’s content rich three-day agenda promises to address the different elements that encompass the acceleration of precision medicine including new technologies, such as big data analysis and decision support tools, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advancements in genomics medicine, data sharing, and navigating reimbursement and coverage – just to name a few.

Please join us along with an exciting speaker lineup which includes Carl June (University of Pennsylvania), Francis deSouza (Illumina), Feng Zhang (Broad Institute), Janet Napolitano (University of California) and over 450 speakers on January 20-23 for PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley to hear first-hand from leading experts how these advances, opportunities, and solutions to current challenges will deliver on the advancements of biomedical research and healthcare of the future.

Sincerely,
PMWC 2019 Silicon Valley Program Chairs

Dr. William Dalton,
M2Gen

Dr. India Hook-Barnard,
UCSF

Dr. Nancy Davidson,
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center