BOSTON, Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritas Genetics and WorldCare today announce a strategic partnership to integrate their next generation genetic testing with world-class medical second opinion services provided by the WorldCare Consortium®. This global partnership bridges the gap between genetic testing and personalized care, providing patients with access to the best in cutting-edge technology, coupled with follow-up medical care from the top clinical specialists available. The same high touch, customized concierge approach is available domestically and internationally as well.
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With this partnership, Veritas Genetics whole genome and targeted testing clients will have access to over 20,500 specialists from top U.S. academic medical institutions, members of the WorldCare Consortium®, including Boston Children's Hospital, Duke Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Penn Medicine, Partners Healthcare System (which includes Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital), Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, and UCLA Healthcare, through WorldCare's comprehensive telemedicine and specialty medical services. WorldCare's clients will also have unique access to Veritas Genetics' full suite of genetic testing products, as well as its personalized whole genome clinical service, Veritas Concierge.
"At Veritas we strongly believe in working with healthcare providers to integrate genetics in prevention and long-term wellbeing of individuals. We want to provide the most informed and best possible follow-up care for any client of ours and are therefore partnering with an organization with shared values of the highest quality of care and global accessibility," said Mirza Cifric, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Veritas Genetics.
Veritas Genetics was co-founded by Harvard Medical School professor and genetics pioneer Dr. George Church, who launched the Harvard Personal Genome Project (PGP) in 2005. In October, Veritas Genetics became the first organization to break the "$1,000 genome barrier" by offering its members whole-genome sequencing and interpretation for less than $1,000. The partnership set the scientific standard for whole genome interpretation and integration with other healthcare information.
WorldCare has been helping its members to make more informed medical decisions for over 20 years, through highly-personalized second medical opinion consultations. WorldCare's Second Opinion service connects millions of members with specialists at world-class medical centers.
Both Veritas Genetics and WorldCare share strong roots in Boston's scientific community and at Harvard Medical School. "The goal of our partnership is to provide a world-class, fully-integrated medical service with a strong focus on clinical outcomes by integrating personalized medicine and genomics. We pioneered the multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional second opinion process, and are proud to partner with visionary organizations like Veritas Genetics to continue our commitment to good health," said Dr. Hassan Sharif, Chief Medical Officer of WorldCare.
Veritas Genetics and WorldCare China entered into a collaboration earlier this year, providing this unique integrated service to their Chinese clients. "This is a natural partnership to bring state-of-the-art genetic testing and premium U.S. medical consultations together in China," said Jonathan Zhao, one of Veritas Genetics' founders and Managing Director of the company's China operations. "Our collaboration with Veritas fits perfectly with our focus on addressing the unique needs of Asian populations," said Dr. Steven Wu of WorldCare China. Last year, Veritas Genetics established an R&D center in the Hangzhou Economic & Technological Development Area (HEDA).
About Veritas Genetics
Veritas Genetics is a global pioneer in disease prevention through accessible genetic information. By removing the barriers to genetic screening, Veritas Genetics empowers individuals and doctors to make informed decisions that can lead to disease prevention and longer and healthier lives. The company was founded by leaders in genomics from Harvard Medical School with over 10 years of experience in genome interpretation at Harvard's Personal Genome Project (PGP). Veritas Genetics is headquartered in Boston, with additional labs and offices in Europe (Luxembourg) and Asia (Shanghai).
About WorldCare
WorldCare's mission is to improve the quality of healthcare worldwide by maximizing timely, efficient and strategic access to the best in healthcare. WorldCare is the only organization with a strategic, technological and operational relationship with top-ranked teaching and research hospitals in North America, the WorldCare Consortium®. For over 20 years, WorldCare has empowered members and physicians with the clinical information and resources needed to make more informed medical decisions through its telemedicine services, providing access to specialists at these world-class medical centers. With over 20,500 specialists and sub-specialists who have access to more than $4.3 billion dollars in annual biomedical research funding, the Consortium is unique in the depth and breadth of its medical expertise. Leveraging award-winning capabilities and revolutionary technology to provide unparalleled service and expertise, WorldCare offers customized services to meet the unique needs of its clients and members worldwide.
