Cygenex
Tailoring Healthcare With Genetic Insights

Precision medicine is the future of healthcare,” say the Co-founders of Cygenex: Charles Clark CEO/CTO, Steven Ross Chief Clinical and Education Officer, and James Padilla President and Board Chair of Cygenex.

A one-size-fits-all approach is no longer sufficient, as not every drug works optimally for every patient. The common practice of step therapy, or “trial and error,” is a stark example of how the absence of in-depth genetic insights hinders the pursuit of optimal healthcare. Without proper patient data, doctors are unable to tailor medication for every patient, leading to incorrect prescriptions that cause adverse reactions and harm patient health. It also leads to inflated medical costs, which can put a financial strain on patients and healthcare providers.

Advancing the boundaries of healthcare, Cygenex emerges as a frontrunner in Pharmacogenetics. To address the pressing need for precision medicine, it devises a novel offering in the form of Pharmacogenetic testing paired with AI-powered proprietary software. Known as a ‘risk stratification algorithm,’ it enables personalized treatment of patients based on their unique genetic makeup.

Cygenex provides AI and insights-as-a-service, readily available for hospitals and clinics, where it arms medical care professionals with valuable patient information. This crucial data helps providers make better decisions every time to substantially reduce adverse drug reactions in patients.

“Our AI algorithm is always reviewing patient data and learning how to best utilize Pharmacogenetics to recommend the right drug,” says Charles Clark, Co-founder and CEO/CTO of Cygenex.

A Personalized Path to Wellness

Its methodology starts with the AI passively sifting through claim file data from healthcare brokers, third-party administrators, and physicians to proactively identify high-risk and polypharmacy (multiple medications) individuals who would benefit most from Pharmacogenetic testing. Based on the results, this powerful tool can calculate potential medical and drug cost savings. This is highly beneficial for healthcare brokers, pharmacy benefit managers, and third-party administrators striving to offer optimal services to their employer groups, as the AI can process entire databases and provide actionable insights in record time.

The next step begins with receiving a sample of the patient’s DNA from a simple cheek swab, which is sent to the lab for DNA extraction, followed by the development of a report using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to analyze an individual’s genes. The data translation process identifies which drugs are metabolized safely and effectively by the individual, along with recommendations and clinical treatment protocols. This data is crucial in determining a suitable drug and dosage based on the individual’s genetics.

Cygenex integrates various disconnected systems within the genetic testing and treatment process through API connections to design a streamlined workflow. It automates the notification process to inform patients and their healthcare providers when their test is ready and facilitates easy access to their results. AI also integrates with electronic medical record systems to ensure the test results are accessible to physicians.

This holistic approach is anchored on three pillars— Integration, Innovation, and Automation, which form the foundation of Cygenex’s capacity to seamlessly combine state-of-the-art technology to provide the best patient experience.

Understanding that informed clinical decision-making is the key to safe and effective, healthcare, it appoints licensed genetic counselors for every individual and their provider undergoing Pharmacogenetic testing. The licensed genetic counselor guides patients, interpreting test results and coordinating communication with their physicians.

In tandem, a case management team works closely with patients and monitors their progress throughout their healthcare journey and beyond. They perform monthly data analysis based on patient information through Cygenex’s ingestion engine, allowing them to gauge improvements and make clinical data-driven decisions. This monitoring includes ensuring patients are on the proper medications and reducing the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. The results are compelling and show reduced medical spending, decreased copayments, and lower costs for hospitals and clinics, benefiting all parties.
A comprehensive service arm enables Cygenex to offer an end-to-end solution for patients’ health and wellness journeys. It guides patients from the moment they perform a cheek swab through laboratory report generation, meeting the genetic counselor, and the eventual physician appointment.

Recently, Cygenex signed an agreement with Health Benefits Alliance, a third-party administrator leading the path to improving healthcare outcomes through the genetic testing of its members.

The Dawn of Renewed Health

A client engagement that highlights the immense benefit of Cygenex’s offering is the tale of a man with a family history of heart disease who faced a dire health situation. His prescribed medications proved ineffective and exacerbated his condition to the point where his physician delivered a grim prognosis, advising him that he would have to live with his condition and that his life expectancy was challenged due to his health challenges. This was where Cygenex stepped in and assisted his physician with Pharmacogenetic testing. The test results revealed crucial insights—he was unable to metabolize the myriad of medications he had been prescribed for over 40 years. An alternative drug specifically targeting a genetic mutation was identified, and within two months, his laboratory markers significantly improved. The man reported increased energy, better quality of life, and the ability to engage in activities he had long thought impossible. His mortality rate significantly decreased, offering him a newfound lease on life.

Another remarkable case centered on a young lady reliant on psychotropic drugs. Her struggle with symptoms persisted despite her physician’s assurance that continued use of the medication would eventually mitigate adverse reactions. This bleak cycle was broken when she underwent a Pharmacogenetic test with Cygenex’s help, revealing that she was a “rapid metabolizer” for the drug she was prescribed, which increased the consumption of the drug over a shorter period of time. This metabolic pattern significantly altered her physiological and psychological well-being. Transitioning to an alternative medication based on her genetics resulted in a remarkable transformation in her overall health. Her outlook improved, and suicidal tendencies dissipated. These poignant examples underscore the profound impact of Pharmacogenetic testing in reshaping the lives of individuals faced with challenging health conditions.

“We care about people and are passionate about improving their health outcomes,” says Clark

Cygenex aims to improve patient health and wellness through personalized programs that use genetic information to tailor solutions for better lifestyles. The company’s evolving AI incorporates health and wellness genetics and diagnostic tests to comprehensively address individual needs. These offerings include many distinct programs, including CySlim (weight loss), CyPerform (athletic performance), CyNutrient (nutritional needs) and CyRenew (senior care), and many others, designed to offer tailored dietary and exercise plans, athletic performance guides, and pathology for micronutrient metabolism patterns.

The Power of Expert Collaborations

The proficiency of Cygenex in the field of Pharmacogenetic testing is underpinned by an advisory committee consisting of prominent physicians whose expertise is instrumental in guiding its analytical work.

It comprises a diverse blend of professionals, including technology leaders and microbiologists with extensive experience in genetic laboratories, pharmacists, and physicians specializing in cardiology, oncology, and integrative medicine. This multifaceted team offers valuable guidance and direction, while the partnership is characterized by collaboration and mutual benefit.

Notable among the advisory committee members are university medical professors, surgeons, and pharmacists, along with an internationally renowned cardiologist known for pioneering technologies in his field. These individuals are vital resources, experts who provide practical insights and direction.

This close collaboration with healthcare experts has led Cygenex to develop many additional offerings. For example, the advisory committee often highlighted the low levels of Pharmacogenetic education among healthcare professionals. In response, the company collaborated with universities and other institutions to develop free educational programs for hospitals and physicians in addition to creating a curriculum with opportunities for healthcare professionals to earn continuing medical education credits.

Customized educational programs are offered for various stakeholders, including third-party administrators, benefits advisors, and benefits managers, equipping them with the knowledge needed to manage benefits. It also offers educational resources to HR departments and employer groups to improve employee comprehension of Pharmacogenetics.

Our AI algorithm is always reviewing patient data and learning how to best utilize Pharmacogenetics to recommend the right drug.

Apart from the advisory committee, Cygenex has established relationships with many local groups and experts in specific areas. One example is a collaboration with mental health professionals to gain insights into the genetic factors influencing the selection of psychotropic drugs. Partnering with individuals in this field helps Cygenex understand and address the high incidence of trial-and-error prescribing in mental health treatment.

Advancing Genomic Insights for Drug Development

Embracing the path of diversification, Cygenex now embarks on a journey into WGS, where it plans to utilize its rich insights for research, drug trials, and FDA approvals. It recognizes that diverse ethnic backgrounds exhibit varied drug responses due to their distinct genetic makeup and actively promotes the collection of Pharmacogenetic-related genetic data across multiple ethnicities in the U.S. and worldwide. This comprehensive genetic biobank, representing individuals from various ethnicities in the continental U.S. and worldwide, is invaluable for conducting research and drug trials and aiding pharmaceutical companies in new medication development.

A recent influx of funding has positioned Cygenex to advance its R&D efforts. This financial support is expected to place the organization at the forefront of innovation, particularly in creating new disease-specific genetic panels for various disease categories. Leveraging its extensive testing and data, Cygenex is actively developing these genetic panels while harnessing the capabilities of AI to guide its endeavors in this emerging landscape.

Cygenex is actively running specialized genetic panels, including a diabetes panel for tailoring medication and dietary plans for people with diabetes, Neuro panels covering Parkinson-Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Oncology, Hereditary Cancer, Cardiometabolic Disorders, Glaucoma, and Autism, just to name a few. Cygenex also has a THC and CBD panel and is currently conducting R&D efforts to bring about more genetic panels to improve healthcare outcomes.

The vision of a future where genetic testing and health and wellness products are intertwined as a single solution lies at the heart of Cygenex as it continues to blaze a trail of innovation in precision medicine.