California Department of Public Health

Collaboration Includes Houston-based Gene by Gene's Laboratory Expertise to Support Evidence Generation for Personalized Medicine HOUSTON, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Glasgow's Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine and myDNA, a leader in precision health, have announced a new partnership to generate evidence supporting the adoption of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in healthcare. The collaboration will focus on exploring the potential of PGx to transform healthcare delivery, aiming to enhance patient outcomes through precision medicine. PGx works by tailoring drug choice and dosage to an individual's genetic profile, marking a significant shift away from the traditional "one-size-fits-all" model. As healthcare increasingly shifts towards more personalised solutions, PGx is gaining attention for its potential to address the complex and varied - and often detrimental - responses that patients can experience with certain medications. Through their partnership, the Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine, myDNA, Gene by Gene laboratory services and technology partner Agena Bioscience will focus on generating real-world data to assess the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of PGx. These insights will be instrumental in advocating for its broader adoption within the NHS and healthcare systems worldwide. The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to generate evidence that will drive the integration of personalised medicine as a standard practice in healthcare. In doing so, it aims to help improve medication safety and efficacy for patients and contribute to significant cost savings for healthcare systems. Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Pontecorvo Chair of Pharmacogenomics at the University of Glasgow, said: "Our partnership with myDNA marks the crucial first step in integrating pharmacogenomics into everyday clinical practice across Scotland. By combining the University of Glasgow's research expertise, myDNA's specialised knowledge in pharmacogenomics, and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's capabilities in clinical trials, we are laying the groundwork for the wider adoption of personalised medicine within the NHS, with the goal of significantly enhancing patient care. "Additionally, the evidence we generate will not only benefit the NHS but also have far-reaching impact beyond the UK, supporting the global adoption of pharmacogenomic strategies." "Allan Sheffield, myDNA Co-founder, said, "myDNA is excited to partner with the University of Glasgow's Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine to accelerate pharmacogenomics adoption. Our expertise in providing pharmacogenomic clinical decision support, coupled with the Living Lab's research capabilities, positions us to generate compelling real-world evidence showcasing PGx's clinical and economic value." Dr Sam Mostafa, myDNA's Clinical Director and Pharmacogenomic Specialist said "This collaboration with the University of Glasgow's Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine is a pivotal moment in unlocking the potential of pharmacogenomics. By generating strong data, we can demonstrate how personalized medication management can significantly enhance patient safety and efficacy." About Gene by Gene: Gene by Gene is a world leader in genetic testing services with over 20 years of experience. Our laboratory holds accreditation from multiple agencies, including CAP, CLIA, New York State Department of Health, California Department of Public Health, and AABB. With a cutting-edge laboratory and highly trained team of experts, we are committed to excellence in the field of genetic analysis. To learn more about Gene by Gene, visit . Media Contact: Josie Zohny | Clarity Quest for Gene by Gene [email protected] 917-742-3777 SOURCE Gene by Gene WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2024 -- A child in California has tested positive for bird flu, despite having no known contact with infected animals, state officials reported Tuesday. "California has identified a possible bird flu case in a child in Alameda County who was tested for mild upper respiratory symptoms. The child, who has been treated, is recovering at home," the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said in a news release . While the patient had no known contact with an infected animal, health officials are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds, the CDPH added. Importantly, "the positive test showed a low-level detection of the virus, indicating the child was not likely infectious to others," they noted. "Repeat bird flu testing on the child four days later was negative, and additional testing shows the child was also positive for respiratory viruses that could be the cause of their cold and flu symptoms. The test specimens are being sent to CDC [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] for confirmatory testing." Even as the case was reported, state officials stressed the public health risk remained low. “It's natural for people to be concerned, and we want to reinforce for parents, caregivers and families that based on the information and data we have, we don't think the child was infectious -- and no human-to-human spread of bird flu has been documented in any country for more than 15 years," said CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón . So far this year, 53 people have been confirmed to have bird flu in the United States, according to the CDC ; all but one had been exposed to infected poultry or dairy cows. In the California case, no person-to-person spread of the virus has been detected and the child's family members all tested negative. Bird flu has been spreading in poultry since 2022, and cases in dairy cows began to crop up in March. The virus was discovered in a pig for the first time last month. Bird flu infections in people -- nearly all among farmworkers -- have now been confirmed in seven states, with Oregon reporting its first human case last week. California accounts for the largest share of human bird flu cases in the country, with 27 confirmed infections, not counting the child in Alameda County. Washington has recorded 11 cases, and Colorado 10, CDC data shows. Earlier this month, Canadian officials announced that a teen in British Columbia had been hospitalized in critical condition with what is believed to be bird flu. It’s not clear how the teenager picked up the H5N1 virus because the patient is not known to have any contact with infected animals, officials noted. They added that this is the first human case of the virus reported in both the province and Canada. "The positive test for H5 was performed at the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Public-Health Laboratory," Dr. Bonnie Henry , provincial health officer of British Columbia, said in a statement . "Samples are being sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for confirmatory testing." Testing has been performed on about three dozen people who were in contact with the teen, but none show evidence of infection, Henry added. Federal health officials also reported recently that a second person in Missouri who wasn't exposed to either poultry or dairy cows had been infected with bird flu. This person shared a home with a patient who was first hospitalized with bird flu in August, but antibody tests have since shown that symptomatic health care workers who cared for the patient were not infected with the H5N1 virus, the CDC said in a bird flu update . However, there was some reassuring news: There was no evidence that H5N1 had passed person-to-person because the fact that "these two individuals had identical symptom onset dates support a single common exposure to bird flu rather than person-to-person spread within the household," the CDC noted. "To date, human-to-human spread of H5 bird flu has not been identified in the United States," the agency added. "CDC believes the immediate risk to the general public from H5N1 bird flu remains low, but people with exposure to infected animals are at higher risk of infection." The latest cases fuel growing concern among public health experts that the ongoing bird flu outbreak will eventually trigger human-to-human transmission of the virus. Across the country, more than 549 dairy herds in 15 states have been infected since the outbreak in dairy cows was first confirmed in March. Avian influenza has been spreading in wild and domestic birds in the United States for several years. “We should be very concerned at this point,” Dr. James Lawler , co-director of the University of Nebraska’s Global Center for Health Security, told the New York Times . “Nobody should be hitting the panic button yet, but we should really be devoting a lot of resources into figuring out what’s going on.” Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

LONG BEACH, Calif., Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach has been recognized by the California Department of Public Health with the prestigious Immunization Friendly Birth Hospital Award for its leadership in infant immunization. The award highlights the hospital's exceptional work in protecting infants against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during the 2023-24 RSV season. As part of the Vaccines for Children Program, Miller Children's & Women's Hospital administered nirsevimab, an injectable monoclonal antibody that prevents severe RSV, to more than 1,700 eligible infants between October 2023 and March 2024. This proactive immunization effort reduces the risk of life-threatening respiratory infections in infants and young children, providing critical protection against a virus that can lead to serious complications. "We are deeply honored to receive this award from the California Department of Public Health," says Graham Tse, M.D., chief medical officer at Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our entire care team, who works tirelessly to safeguard the health of our youngest and most vulnerable patients. By ensuring high vaccination rates, we are taking a significant step in preventing severe RSV and improving the health outcomes of infants across our community." Vaccination efforts are critical for the health and safety of infants, especially those born prematurely or with underlying health conditions. Children's hospitals, like Miller Children's & Women's Hospital, play a pivotal role in ensuring that infants receive the preventive care they need during the earliest and most vulnerable stages of life. By providing targeted immunization programs, hospitals can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and improve long-term health outcomes. The award underscores Miller Children's & Women's Hospital's ongoing commitment to infant health and safety, further cementing its position as a leader in pediatric care. The Vaccines for Children Program, a federally funded initiative, provides vaccines to children who might not otherwise have access due to financial or insurance barriers. Programs like this help reduce disparities in healthcare access, ensuring that all infants, regardless of socioeconomic background, can be protected against preventable diseases. "As part of the mission of all children's hospitals, we want to give every child in our community the opportunity to grow up healthy," says Yair Katz, chief executive of Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach. "Our participation in the Vaccines for Children Program demonstrates the importance of early prevention in protecting the health of our patients and reducing the burden of serious infections. We are incredibly proud of our team's efforts in making a measurable difference in the lives of families throughout our community." About MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach: MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach is a member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated healthcare system. As one of only eight free-standing children's hospitals in California, Miller Children's & Women's is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Children's Hospital" for pediatric pulmonology and lung surgery. Regionally, it ranks among the top 10 in the state — treating more than 14,000 children each year — and has become a regional pediatric destination for more than 65,000 children requiring specialized outpatient care through its Cherese Mari Laulhere Children's Village Outpatient Center and satellite centers in Torrance, Fountain Valley, and Irvine. With maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists available 24/7, Miller Children's & Women's cares for birthing people with high-risk pregnancies and premature infants all under one roof. Learn more millerchildrens.org. SOURCE Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED