Elaine Murray
Public Affairs Lead, EIT Health Ireland – UK
Healthcare is evolving due to patient expectations, digital transformation and scientific research. New delivery models, such as personalised medicine through genomics, could enhance cost efficiencies, diagnoses and predictability in care.
By studying an individual’s complete set of genetic material (genome), researchers can determine why people have varying disease risks and why medicines affect them differently. With this information, the right therapeutic strategy can be tailored for the right person at the right time.
Moving Ireland’s genomic strategy forward
In 2022, the HSE published its National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland. However, research based on genomic data generated in Ireland is relatively underdeveloped, with factors contingent on its optimal delivery, such as access to personalised health information.
Impending regulations could be catalysers for change. The European Parliament recently passed a framework to enable cross-border sharing of digital health information, the European Health Data Space. Ireland’s Department of Health published its roadmap to implement a patient app and shared care records as part of ‘Digital for Care: A Digital Health Framework for Ireland 2024 – 2030.’
System and infrastructure changes are required nationally to drive the genomic strategy. With system overhauls already underway in several European countries to advance genomic innovation, local policymakers and researchers need only look to our neighbours for inspiration and collaboration opportunities.
Personalised medicine in practice
In Estonia, the passing of the Human Genes Research Act led to the establishment of a Genome Centre. The centre draws data from cancer registries, causes of death registries, electronic health records, health insurance funds, hospital databases and research projects. Over a 20+ year biobanking journey, 20% of Estonia’s adult population has now had their genetic material genotyped.
System and infrastructure changes are required nationally to drive the genomic strategy.
Analyses of gene variants in the genome have contributed to 830+ peer-reviewed papers, leading to advances in scientific research and early disease detection. Today, the Estonian Biobank boasts a 70%+ public approval rating.
Transitioning to a healthcare landscape tailored to individual needs
The European Genomic Data Infrastructure project, backed by €40 million in funding from the European Commission, brings together 54 partners from across 20 countries, including Ireland, to create technical capacity for accessing genomic data in Europe.
The new European Partnership for Personalised Medicine (EP PerMed), launched under Horizon Europe, has a budget of €375 million over 10 years. It aims to ensure that the long-term vision of personalised medicine is translated into roadmaps with funding and supporting activities.
Researchers in Ireland can leverage these well-funded European projects to draw on a wider pool of actionable genetic information. International collaboration in genomic research will be pivotal to the discovery of innovative treatments and, ultimately, enhance patient care.
