Current activities & past programs
International Congress of Genetics
Join us at ICG in Melbourne, Australia July 2023.
Presenting a poster on WORKFORCE: Building a learning healthcare system to accelerate the integration and application of genomic technologies.
ARCS 2023: CHAIRING SESSIONS ON PRECISION HEALTH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
CHAIRING SESSIONS
Precision Health: Integrated Risk Score - Clinical and digital health applications
Carl Stubbings; Chief Commercial Officer, Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG, ASDAQ:GENE)
Digital health challenges in the use of genomic data
David O’Driscoll, Australasian Institute of Digital Health
Integration of genomics into clinical research through empowering ethics committees to review genomics applications.
Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo, Integrating Genomics into Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland
WORKFORCE: Precision Medicine Workforce Competency Framework
2022: InGeNA Precision Medicine Workforce Competency Framework
As our healthcare system transitions from a specialist and disease-centred system to a learning healthcare system driven by precision medicine, the competencies and capabilities of the various workforces servicing this sector also need to change.
The InGeNA Workforce Precision Medicine Competency Framework is needed because since the sequencing of the human genome, there has been a steady rise in the impact of genomics in the practice of medicine.
It is difficult for individuals, their managers, and employers to keep abreast of the rapidly changing requirements for keeping up to date with this evolving ecosystem.
The Precision Medicine Competency Framework includes analysis of the needs for a future precision medicine-based workforce that is fit for purpose and aids individuals and employers to identify and address competency gaps in precision medicine.
InGeNA Precision Medicine Workforce Competency Framework and Precision Medicine Workforce Planning Tool are published by the Industry Genomics Network Alliance (InGeNA) and GenomePlus.
Pfizer Case Study: Transcending SIlos
The advancement of precision medicine, including gene therapies, holds significant promise for many of the estimated two million Australians living with rare genetic diseases.(1,2) By seeking to address underlying genetic causes and modifying the progression of disease (3,4) these therapies have the potential to provide transformational clinical benefit and shift the focus from the management of illness to the preservation of health and well-being.
Pfizer's near-term pipeline includes gene therapies for diseases that have single-gene alterations, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and haemophilia.(5) Our main approach is to use our recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) platform to develop highly specialised, potentially once-in-a-lifetime gene therapies that use custom-made vectors.
The successful integration of clinical genomics, development of infrastructure, health system readiness and a highly skilled precision medicine workforce are critical enablers of the success and speed in which these pipeline investigational agents can be translated from clinical research into therapies delivered within person-centred models of care.
The InGeNA Precision Medicine Competency Framework (6) provides a novel platform to contextualise these interdependencies and the taxonomy built into the framework allows us to use a common language for genomics across stakeholders. By transcending these silos, Pfizer and other precision medicine manufacturers have a much better opportunity to connect, gain early visibility, develop a common understanding and influence the changes required to existing systems, which are essential to realise the potential of these novel therapies.
In addition, this early visibility provides us with an opportunity to ensure our future go to market model and internal capabilities reflect the emerging needs of our evolving healthcare system.
The detailed assessments within the InGeNA Precision Medicine Competency Framework also provide valuable insight, as we plan and advance go-to-market model, of the capabilities required to successfully deliver our pipeline. This includes identifying and quantifying internal competency gaps, and the potential to build an informed upskilling program tailored to Pfizer's needs but anchored in a common industry approach which will in turn, enhance our human resource (HR) function in the positioning and recruitment of future roles.
As we get closer to the arrival of these therapies, Pfizer is also enthusiastic about the possibilities for innovative approaches to recruitment and knowledge sharing. For example, there is potential to leverage the competency framework to launch innovative partnerships such as preceptorships and skills transfer programs that seek to bridge the gap between biopharma and clinical research, which will benefit translational research and commercialisation opportunities.
The future of the Australian healthcare system is a targeted, genetically informed and personalised one. Future proofing Biopharma organisations' greatest capital – its people, ensures that colleagues are equipped to engage broadly, predict, and translate the impact of important disruption to positively impact the patient and health care communities we all strive to serve.
REFERENCES
Australian Government Department of Health: What we are doing about Rare Diseases. (Accessed 13 April 2022)
Global Genes: Rare Disease Facts. (Accessed 11 October 2021)
Kumar SR, et al. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2016;3:16034.
Murphy SL, High KA. Br J Haematol 2008;140:479-87.
Pfizer Global Pipeline (Accessed 13 April 2022)
InGeNA Precision Medicine Competency Framework (Accessed 13 April 2022)
CASE STUDY: STRATEGIC WORKFORCE PLANNING
23Strands is an early-stage Australian company working in the complex areas of precision medicine and has built a platform to accelerate the integration of genomic, digital and AI empowered personalised health information into the healthcare system. The 23Strands team is made up of talented individuals with competencies across multiple areas including translational health and various clinical specialties, together with IT, data science, artificial intelligence and genomics. The team needs to have the ability to work efficiently and effectively as an internal cross-functional organisation as well as with external partners. Below are two case studies on how we have used the InGeNA Precision Medicine Workforce Competency Framework and Precision Medicine Workforce Planning Tool to allocate the right team members to projects and build multi-disciplinary competencies.
As with many start-ups, consultancies, medical technology and device companies in this innovative and rapidly evolving space, the 23Strands team members have hybrid roles across academia, research and industry. We may have a PhD in a particular discipline or be a Medical Practitioner with specialist skills, and they all bring diverse research, clinical and industry experience. With each new project we need to assemble the right team to deliver on the new technologies and solutions we are bringing into the healthcare system.
Traditional gap analysis does not work effectively in such a rapidly evolving discipline due to its lack of context and simplicity. This is why the Australian Industry Genomics Network (InGeNA) invested in developing a new framework that provides a robust and fit-for-purpose scaffold.
23Strands used the InGeNA Precision Medicine Workforce Competency Framework to assess the interdisciplinary skills needed when planning for a new project. Firstly, we defined the project scope using the domains outlined in the framework and allocated the competency levels needed to deliver on the project. We then, assigned team members with complementary skills and experience, and identified the gaps in the skillset. We were able to manage the gaps by insourcing specific skills and including some on-the-job training and identify hidden / transferable skills in the genomics workforce and rapidly determine gaps. By knowing where to allocate resources such as training, recruitment and partnership development, innovative and lean companies such as 23Strands can be confident in creating a workforce that can deliver for future needs.
GenomePlus Presents: ARCS Precision Medicine Series 2021
The pace of change in the area of precision medicine continues to accelerate. ARCS has run precision medicine streams at our annual conference since 2016, and to further support industry in integrating precision medicine into research, clincial and business practice, we are establishing the Precision Medicine Community of Practice (PMedCP).
2019 MTP Connect Precision Medicine White paper: GenomePlus and Biointelect deliver report on Precision Medicine
Precision Medicine and its potential to deliver personalised care to a patient has the power to be transformative; to bring about significant changes for patients, carers and health professionals. MTPConnect’s White Paper canvasses the key issues, connects stakeholders and stimulates discussion around how best to integrate Precision Medicine into the Australian healthcare system.
2018 Precision Medicine Round Table - MTPConnect sponsors GenomePlus and Biointelect’s RoundTable at ARCS conference
Roundtable hosted to bring together key representative stakeholders from across Australia’s MedTech Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical (MTP) sector, including Government, regulators, industry organisations, industry, academia and clinicians to discuss opportunities and challenges for Precision Medicine in Australia. This formed the basis of a MTP Connect white-paper covering each of the session topics.
2015 Genetic Alliance Australia: Australian Patients’ and Families’ Perspectives on Genome Sequencing report and Patient Charter
Genetic Alliance Australia‘s “Australian Patients’ and Families’ Perspectives on Genome Sequencing” project commenced September 2015 out of an expressed need by our members to clarify perceptions of genome sequencing and to better understand the impact on families. Questions about financial cost, overall benefit, incidental findings, privacy and other aspects were addressed in the project.
ARCS EVENTS: 2017, 2018, 2019, (2020 cancelled), 2021, 2022, 2023
ARCS Conference 2019
Precision medicine: Putting the patient at the centre of Healthcare (Part 1)
A10 regulation and Reimbursement of Precision Medicines in Australia- An Update
Dr Dianne Jackson Matthews, ERA Consulting
Rebecca Stratford, on behalf of Oncology Industry Taskforce (OIT)
Precision medicine: Putting the patient at the centre of Healthcare (Part 2)
B16 Early Access for Patients
Early Access for Patients
Richard Vines Rare Cancers Australia, National Oncology Alliance
Personalised medicines: Perspectives from the ultimate stakeholder- the patient
Sharon Winton Lymphoma Australia
Personalised Medicine: Early Access to innovative medicines- regulatory perspective
Brian Gilmartin Link Healthcare
Co-Chairs:
Nicky Conway, Eli Lilly Australia
Julian Shellbourne, GenomePlus
B23 Early Access for Patients
Personalised Medicine: Managed Access Panel Discussion
Simon Singer (TGA)
Richard Vines (RCA)
Viv Allen (Vivacity)
Brian Gilmartin (Link, Clinigen)
Sharon Winter (Lymphoma Australia)
Co-Chairs:
Robin DeVries, Abbvie
Nicky Conway, Eli Lilly Australia
ARCS Conference 2018
Session B08 Precision Medicine (Part1)
The ethics of precision medicine: mapping the terrain
Associate Professor Wendy Lipworth (MBBS, PhD)
Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney
Precision medicine in cardiovascular medicine
Professor Chris Semsarian AM, MBBS PhD MPH
Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney
Lead of the Cardiovascular Genetic Diseases Flagship of Australian Genomics
Cell and Molecular Therapies
Professor John Rasko,
Director of Department of Cell and Molecular Therapies at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Head of the Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program at the Centenary Institute, University of Sydney.
Co-Chairs:
Nicky Conway, New Product Planning Manager, Eli Lilly Australia
Julian Shellbourne, GenomePlus
Session B15 Precision Medicine Panel Discussion (Part 2)
Panel Discussion
Prof. Robyn Ward, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney University
Prof. John Skerritt Deputy Secretary, Health Products Regulation Group, Department of Health
Mr Bruce Goodwin Managing Director, Janssen Australia
Ms Michelle Burke Member, Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee
Prof. John Rasko Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine & Cell Biology,
Mr Richard Vines Chairman and Founder, Rare Cancers Australia
Assoc. Prof. Wendy Lipworth Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney School of Public Health,
Co-Chairs:
Nicky Conway, New Product Planning Manager, Eli Lilly Australia
David Grainger, Head Global Health Outcomes and Policy, BioIntelect.
ARCS WEBINAR 6 June 2018
Precision Medicine: Opportunities, Limitations and Risks
1 hour webinar on Precision Medicine
ARCS Conference 2017
Integration of Genomics into Australian Healthcare Practice: Challenges and Opportunities
Speakers included:
Prof Leslie Burnett, Head of Pathology GenomeOne
Prof John Rasko, Centenary Institute of Cancer Medicine & Cell Biology,
Prof John Christodoulou Chair of Genomic Medicine, Dept of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Head, Neurodevelopmental Genomics Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Director at Australian Genome Healthcare Alliance, Theme Director, Genetics Research
Followed by Panel Discussion on the opportunities and challenges of integrating of genomic medicine into the healthcare system, highlighting what this means for clinical research, regulatory and reimbursement professionals.
GENOMEPLUS