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Hackensack Meridian Health in Edison and Genomic Testing Cooperative of California said Wednesday they will establish a next generation sequencing reference laboratory for molecular profiling.

The laboratory, located at JFK Medical Center in Edison, will use artificial intelligence software and algorithms developed by GTC. This new facility will not only serve physicians in the HMH network, but will provide outreach service to physicians and hospitals on the East Coast.

Initially the lab will focus on cancer and will expand to immune diseases and various chronic diseases. It will bring genomics to the currently active screening and prevention program at HMH.

Molecular testing provides a deeper insight into tumors’ genomic signature, and are used to look for alterations in a cancer’s DNA and RNA, which drive the disease’s growth and spread. Testing could reveal one cause or several causes that may offer insights into how the tumor will behave.

The goal of the tests is to offer diagnostic, prognostic and predictive information about targeted options.

“Investing in genomics and establishing a reference laboratory in genomics represents a new phase for Hackensack Meridian Health and demonstrates our commitment to be a leader in improving patient care,” said Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Executive Officer Robert Garrett. “We believe that precision medicine based on genomics not only delivers better medicine but is more efficient and cost effective.”

“HMH is highly patient focused and GTC is a leader in genomic diagnosis and this partnering will not only represent a unique opportunity for advancing medicine and health outcome, but could have implications on health policies as well,” said HMH Chief Operating Officer Mark Stauder.

The reference laboratory will complement a previously announced next generation sequencing laboratory operated by Regional Cancer Care Associates in their practice located at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, which provides services for RCCA physicians.