MURRIETA, Calif., Dec. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Murrieta Genomics, the genomic sequencing business incubator, has agreed to offer EncrypGen's blockchain based solution for the Genomic Data Industry to benefit individual data owners and researchers to foster the advancement of new medical treatments and will lead to more efficient and effective healthcare.
"In many cases, people who get their genome sequenced have no control over how their data is used," stated Deepankar Roy, PhD, co-founder and science officer for Murrieta Genomics. "The companies doing the sequencing anonymize the data and then sell it to researchers repeatedly. We encourage the sharing of important research data – but on the individual's terms."
"EncrypGen has developed a proprietary blockchain (a cryptographically encoded ledger) called the Gene-Chain," explains CEO and Co-Founder of EncrypGen, David Koepsell, J.D., Ph.D. "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. This partnership advances these goals."
For consumers to take control over their DNA data, EncrypGen created a peer-to-peer tokenized marketplace to buy and sell genomic data, health science products and services. By doing so, the company created their own DNA cryptocurrency as a payment platform for those that decide to sell their de-identified data.
"Today's partnership moves Gene-Chain up the value chain toward those generating Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) genomic data, assays and testing techniques. NGS genomic data unlocks the multi-trillion dollar personalized medicine market," remarks Chief Strategist for Encrypgen Joe Cawley, who also serves on the Advisory Board for Murrieta Genomics.
"One of the largest challenges to the burgeoning field of personalized medicine is the lack of access to data," Dr. Roy said. "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."
Murrieta Genomics operates a genomic sequencing laboratory and business incubator to advance life science, agriculture, veterinary and forensic sciences by offering researchers the technology and mentorship needed to move concepts from the lab to the market.
While the current focus is on human genomic data, Murrieta Genomics sees many other possibilities, as well. Since DNA and RNA information can be sequenced from any living thing, the company sees value in offering future versions of the Gene-Chain platform to researchers in fields including agriculture, and veterinary sciences.
"We have all heard the buzz around blockchain and as the ledger for Bitcoin transactions," said John Powers, co-founder and President of Murrieta Genomics. "Now you have an application of this technology to protect valuable data while offering a secure and easy way to share it with those you choose. We are extremely excited to be on the cutting edge of not one, but two skyrocketing technologies that are making positive contributions to society."
About Murrieta Genomics:
Murrieta Genomics provides access to next generation sequencing technology for researchers in the health, veterinary, agriculture, forensics and direct to consumer industries. The company is a true business incubator, offering mentorship and guidance from both the scientific and business perspective to aspiring genomic-related entrepreneurs. The founders of Murrieta Genomics have extensive background in business, finance, science and technology. They are supplemented with a prestigious advisory board from both business and science. In addition to low-cost incubation, the company provides hands-on consulting and will provide seed funding to qualified incubator graduates and connections to next-stage funders. For more information visit http://www.murrietagenomics.com. Interested parties are invited to follow Murrieta Genomics through Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin,Instagram and YouTube.
About EncrypGen:
EncrypGen creates software (The Gene-Chain) that empowers consumers, researchers, and businesses to share genetic data with one another using a blockchain for enhanced privacy and security while paying each other with the DNA token. Husband and wife team, Dr. Vanessa Gonzalez Covarrubias and Dr. David Koepsell founded the company in December 2016. Dr. Covarrubias is a genomic scientist, and Dr. Koepsell is a philosopher, lawyer and author who both wanted to leverage blockchain technology to provide greater privacy for the sharing of genomic data for individuals, and to give them a means to sell their data, and at the same time make more data available for scientists. Follow EncrypGen via socials here: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,LinkedIn, Telegram, Discord,Reddit.
SOURCE Murrieta Genomics
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