Unlocking the Next Phase of Clinical Genomics

Sid Selvaraj, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Arima Genomics

By Sid Selvaraj, PhD

At Arima Genomics, we want to empower healthcare providers and researchers with innovative tools and solutions that accelerate the understanding and application of genomics. We strive to leverage the power of genomics to improve patient outcomes, transform disease management, and ultimately contribute to a healthier future for all.

For a while now, we’ve seen numerous cases where our 3D genomics tools helped identify actionable cancer-driving mutations from clinical and biobanked samples. These cases motivated us to launch our Hi-C FFPE kit, which is specially tailored for use with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, last year. Since then, we’ve seen burgeoning interest in the use of 3D genomics in clinical and translational research applications — especially in cancer. This momentum was artfully summarized by GenomeWeb and described by our SVP of Science Anthony Schmitt, PhD on a recent episode of Mendelspod, and seeing these early successes motivated us to consider new ways our tools can benefit human health.

Moving Toward the Clinic

Earlier this year, we took some initial steps to help our company expand our footprint in clinical markets. We announced a partnership with Velsera to incorporate our 3D genomics informatics tools into their Pierian Clinical Genomics Workspace to help clinical laboratories adopt Arima Genomics workflows for gene fusion detection. We announced a partnership with Protean Biodiagnostics to develop a laboratory-developed test to enable oncologists — regardless of their practice setting or geographic location — to order a 3D genomics test for their patients. We hired genomics industry veteran Gabi Raia to lead our sales team and help us build relationships with clinical and translational research customers and we added John Palma, PhD, and Don Hardison to our Board of Directors, deepening our bench of expertise in addressing clinical opportunities.

Building for the Future

Today, we announced the formation of our Clinical Advisory Board which will help advise us on the next phase of our company’s clinical growth and development. The Clinical Advisory Board comprises renowned individuals who are at the forefront of pathology and oncology including Matija Snuderl, MD, director of molecular pathology at NYU Langone Health, Darren Sigal, MD, director of GI oncology at Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Ken Young, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at Duke University. Their collective insights and guidance will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of Arima Genomics and informing our future product development efforts. Together, we look forward realizing the power of 3D genomics to create that healthier future we envision.

The Arima Genomics Team, without whom none of this would be possible, in front of our corporate headquarters in Carlsbad, California.