NEW YORK – LunaPBC, owner of the LunaDNA genomic data-sharing platform, today announced a partnership with Medfusion to integrate data drawn from users' electronic health records.
Under the partnership, LunaDNA users will be able to access health information in their EHRs — including family history of chronic disease, recent diagnoses and illnesses, and laboratory results — in the LunaDNA platform via Medfusion's Patient Data application program interfaces (APIs.)
"This integration expands individuals' opportunities to easily and securely share their health data" and de-identified medical histories in LunaDNA, LunaPBC said in a statement. "This capability enriches the database with standardized medical data and enables new discoveries by not-for-profits, academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies," the firm said.
"Access to LunaDNA members' medical journeys that are integrated with shared DNA information, allows the database to directly impact future research discoveries that accelerate an era of personalized health," LunaPBC CIO Scott Kahn, said in a statement. "Our work with Medfusion activates individuals as research partners and holds the promise of making discoveries inclusive and transparent."
Based in San Diego, LunaPBC is one of several genomic data-sharing platforms that offers users some modicum of control over their information. LunaDNA grants access to that data to qualifying nonprofits, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies. The firm also grants users "ownership shares" with monetary value in exchange for the data.
It started as a blockchain-based data-sharing platform, but switched to a share-based model, which required approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, in late 2018. The firm has raised at least $6.6 million, including $4.6 million in May from Arch Venture Partners, Illumina Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and other investors.
Medfusion, based in Cary, North Carolina, offers several healthcare software products, including Health Data APIs, which the firm said allows it to reach data in more 40 different EHRs covering approximately 80 percent of the US market.
"The power of LunaDNA comes from putting the patient in the center — and using technology to connect and share their data for their own benefit, and for the benefit of others. The breadth of Medfusion's network will enable users to get the most complete view of their health record," Ryan Magnes, Medfusion executive VP of growth and innovation, said in a statement.