Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) will feature Anne Wojcicki, the co founder and CEO of the personal genomics company 23andMe, at its Illumina Genomics Form (IGF) on October 1.
Wojcicki will feature on a spotlight session called “Disruption Ahead” wherein she will speak with biotechnology journalist Luke Timmerman about putting the consumer at the centre of healthcare and improve patient lives through innovations in genomics.
“As a groundbreaking leader in personal genomics, Anne shares Illumina’s mission to improve human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Together we are working to help people make more proactive, informed health care decisions with the potential to transform patient lives. By shining a brighter light on and enhancing access to genomics, we can address today’s greatest health challenges and build a stronger, healthier world,” said Kathryne Reeves, chief marketing officer of Illumina.
Illumina is a biotech company aiming to improve human health by unlocking the genome. The company is focused on DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, helping customers in the research, clinical and applied markets with application use ranging from life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and more.
23andMe acquired Lemonaid Health, a telemedicine platform and attached digital pharmacy, to advance its strategy of individualized primary care, and Wojcicki will share her ideas regarding a customer-first approach and industry standards regarding guiding data privacy and sharing, as well as her views on actions required to improve to accelerate drug discovery.
The company previously announced it would be hosting former US President Barack Obama in a fireside chat on the night of Wednesday, September 28. The former president will discuss the need for equity, accessibility and smarter health care. Then, two days later, Bill Gates will deliver a keynote address on the potential impact of genomics on the trajectory of global health.
All of this comes after an earlier announcement wherein the Minderoo Foundation and Illumina joined forces in a 40 million Australian dollar (US $27.8 million) partnership to use genomics to help develop scientific understanding of marine systems with the end goal of helping marine conservationists with informed decision making. The partnership will last for three years, and include a share commitment to conserving marine biodiversity and understanding marine ecosystems.
