KANSAS CITY, Mo. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 5, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerner Corp. (Nasdaq: CERN ) and Claritas Genomics announce that the companies will work together to advance personalized medicine by building tools and connectivity that will better integrate next generation sequence (NGS)-based diagnostic testing into health care practice. The parties will collaborate to develop a rapid, scalable laboratory solution for molecular diagnostics that is tailored to NGS workflows, which are more complex and generate much more data than traditional molecular diagnostic tests.
Claritas will implement Cerner's Millennium Helix ® solution as part of the initial phase of the project, and will join Cerner's Reference Lab Network to allow seamless ordering and results return for other Reference Lab Network partners.
As part of the relationship, Cerner Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cerner, has invested in the company, becoming a minority shareholder and bringing to a close the company's Series A round. Clay Patterson, managing director of Cerner Capital, has joined Claritas's board of directors.
Cambridge-based Claritas Genomics is a clinical diagnostics laboratory that provides genetic testing with a focus on pediatric medicine, combining advanced genetic analysis technology with clinical interpretive services that tap into the expertise of specialists at the best pediatric hospitals. The company was formed as a spin out of Boston Children's Hospital, with an investment from Life Technologies in February, and was recently joined by Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and now Cerner, as key investors and network partners. The relationship with Cerner will enable Claritas to tap into an existing, scalable computing infrastructure that integrates ordering of genomic sequencing tests, laboratory processing, results interpretation, return of results to the clinician and incorporation of the result in the patient's electronic medical record (EMR).
"Cerner has long focused on the power of genomics and its impact to clinical processes, and this relationship will help advance the field and define a meaningful narrative in personalized medicine between the realms of research, diagnostics and clinical practice," said Dick Flanigan, senior vice president with Cerner. Claritas' focus on pediatrics is noteworthy, as that's when integrating genomics into clinical practice could be particularly impactful."
"One of Claritas's goals is to enable providers at any pediatric center or practice to use genomics in routine medical care. Effective use of genomics in medicine requires integrating genetic information into the context of the patient's unique clinical presentation. As a leading provider of both laboratory management systems and EMR systems in the world, Cerner has decades of experience synthesizing complex medical information across organizations to inform patient care and we are extremely pleased to have them as a strategic partner," said Patrice Milos, PhD, CEO of Claritas.
About Cerner
Cerner is contributing to the systemic change of health and care delivery. For more than 30 years Cerner has been executing its vision to make health care safer and more efficient. We started with the foundation of digitizing paper processes and now offer the most comprehensive array of information software, professional services, medical device integration, remote hosting and employer health and wellness services. Cerner systems are used by everyone from individual consumers, to single-doctor practices, hospitals, employers and entire countries. Taking what we've learned over more than three decades, Cerner is building on the knowledge that is in the system to support evidence-based clinical decisions, prevent medical errors and empower patients in their care.
Cerner® solutions are licensed by approximately 10,000 facilities around the world, including more than 2,700 hospitals; 4,150 physician practices; 45,000 physicians; 550 ambulatory facilities, such as laboratories, ambulatory centers, behavioral health centers, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics and surgery centers; 800 home health facilities; 45 employer sites and 1,750 retail pharmacies.
Certain trademarks, service marks and logos (collectively, the "Marks") set forth herein are owned by Cerner Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and certain other countries throughout the world. All other non-Cerner Marks are the property of their respective owners. Nasdaq: CERN. For more information about Cerner, please visit www.cerner.com , Twitter , Facebook and YouTube .
Cerner Media Contact: Megan Moriarty, (816) 888-2470, megan.moriarty@cerner.com
Cerner Investors Contact: Allan Kells, (816) 201-2445, akells@cerner.com
About Claritas Genomics
Claritas Genomics is a clinical genetic diagnostic testing company that combines the clinical expertise of the world's best pediatric specialists with next generation sequencing technology to inform and improve patient care. Claritas offers a full range of services that take the guesswork out of selecting molecular tests and support clinicians as they navigate the increasingly complex landscape of genetic diagnostics. Claritas's interpretive services are based on the most up to date and reliable findings and its reports are designed to clearly communicate complex genetic information to inform medical treatment. Originally Boston Children's Hospital's clinical molecular testing laboratory, Claritas was launched as an independent laboratory in February 2013.
Claritas Media Contact: Nurjana Bachman, (617) 553-5803, nurjana.bachman@claritasgenomics.com
