Life Science Technologies: Molecular Diagnostics: Personalizing Personalized Medicine

Abstract

Thirteen years after Roche launched the industry with a test for HIV load based on transcript abundance, molecular diagnostics is in full flower. A $3.3 billion market growing at 17 percent annually, the field includes assays for disease predisposition, screening, diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and predicting treatment efficacy, using markers ranging from SNPs to methylcytosine, messenger RNA to microRNA. Bringing digital power to traditional analog medicine, the field "is absolutely going to revolutionize health care," says Harry Glorikian, managing partner at Scientia Advisors. "I believe it with every fiber in my being."