The Business of Genomic Data

In the 13 years since the Human Genome Project was completed, genomic sequencing has come a long way. Next-generation sequencing technology can now produce data faster and cheaper, and many companies with viable business models are using this data to vastly improve diagnostics and treatment. This report provides an overview of the genomics field for data scientists that highlights the tremendous growth in this field, as well as the big data challenges that impede further progress.

Author Brian Orelli, PhD in Cancer Biology, explores two classes of companies: those finding cheaper and more effective ways to sequence DNA as a way to fight disease, and companies designing new products such as therapeutic drugs, biomarkers, and genomic tests.

This report also examines how genomic data is outpacing the ability of existing software to handle the glut, and how researchers are trying to rescue this data from silos by creating common repositories and frameworks to house and share genomic and clinical data.

Brian Orelli, a contract author for The Motley Fool, holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Chicago. His articles cover pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies,and the health insurance industry. Brian provides analysis of news-driven events as well as general analysis of investment possibilities.