NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – A new non-profit has formed in Europe that, similar to the Personalized Medicine Coalition in the US, will focus on promoting and harmonizing personalized medicine and implementing "high value" diagnostics across the continent.
Made up of biotechnology firms, academic and institutional researchers, small and large businesses, and patient advocacy groups, the European Personalised Medicine Diagnostics Association (EPEMED) announced its board of directors this week. Included on that board are executives from Ipsogen, Genzyme Genetics, Oncomethylome Sciences, the Personalized Medicine Coalition, BioMerieux, Theranostics, and Novartis Molecular Diagnostics.
EPEMED says its central goals are to move personalized medicine forward throughout Europe through targeted education, idea-sharing, and business models, and to promote harmonization in Europe's approach to personalized medicine.
The group also plans to create joint programs with other international personalized medicine organizations, and to offer opinions on policies related to the field.
EPEMED sees the coming years will see changes in medical care due to molecular diagnostic advances.
"The next few years will see deep changes in medical care due to the development of breakthrough innovations in the field of molecular diagnostics that will help clinicians in better treating their patients," Alain Huriez, founder and chairman of EPEMED, said in a statement. "It is our responsibility to make sure that these innovations will be made available to European patients and as a result, to make Europe an attractive place for innovations, financial and industrial investments in the area of personalised medicine diagnostics."
Huriez also is chairman and CEO of TcLand Expression, a French molecular diagnostics firm.