NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Genomic sequencing business incubator Murrieta Genomics has agreed to support EncrypGen, a startup offering a blockchain-based system to allow patients to store and share genomic data. The partnership, announced today, is intended to give individuals more control over the use of their genetic information and increase the security of data transfer through blockchain technology.
Coral Springs, Florida-based EncrypGen has created a proprietary blockchain environment it calls Gene-Chain. "We built it to put DNA data owners back in control of their most valuable data and to provide a platform for health-minded individuals, scientific researchers, doctors and pharmaceutical companies to buy and sell DNA data and health-related services," EncrypGen CEO and Cofounder David Koepsell said in a statement.
Like numerous startups, EncrypGen, which launched at the 2017 Bio-IT World conference, has built a peer-to-peer marketplace with blockchain security for exchanging genetic information and health-related products and services based on a DNA-backed cryptocurrency. Others operating under a similar model include Nebula Genomics, LunaDNA, Zenome, MyGenomeBank, and Genomes.io.
"So much crucial information currently resides in data silos that are owned and managed by healthcare organizations. Providing a platform like Gene-Chain can eliminate these silos and offer a free flow of information, all controlled over a secure blockchain," said Murrieta Genomics Cofounder and Science Officer Deepankar Roy.
Murrieta Genomics runs a sequencing lab and business incubator in Murrieta, California, supporting researchers in life sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and forensic sciences. The company said today that it is considering offering future versions of Gene-Chain to fields outside human medicine.