54gene launches diagnostic arm to boost patient health outcomes

54gene, the health technology company advancing African genomics research for improved global health outcomes, has announced the launch of its diagnostics subsidiary; 7RiverLabs.

The diagnostic hubs, fitted with state-of-the-art technology, offer healthcare providers and patients access to world-class, cost-effective, speedy, reliable, and advanced molecular diagnostics.

Speaking on the launch, 54gene Founder and CEO, Dr Abasi Ene-Obong said 7RiverLabs was a manifestation of one of the goals 54gene set out to achieve two years ago, which is to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes on the continent by leveraging advances in the precision medicine space.

“With the range of tests 7RiverLabs offers, millions of Africans can begin to take greater control of their health. The creation of this new subsidiary also allows 54gene to continue its important work of understanding human genetic diversity and translating genetics-driven insights and discoveries to serve the global good,” he said.

Jude Uzonwanne, interim-CEO of 7RiverLabs also noted that the goal with this new subsidiary is to ensure that every African has access to advanced laboratory tests without having to pay an exorbitant out-of-pocket fee. “Patients will receive speedy results that will guide their physicians in reducing late diagnoses leading to poor chances of survival, improve their treatment options and ultimately their quality of life.”

He said 7RiverLabs was complementing Government and industry efforts to attain the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s mandate towards improved care for the general population as hundreds of molecular tests will be made available for millions of people at a fraction of the cost of transporting samples overseas thereby helping to increase early disease-detection and screening rates and save lives.

“This is groundbreaking news for Nigeria; and as we forge trusted partnerships with leading health insurers, hospitals, and healthcare professionals, we anticipate that hundreds more jobs will be created in our expansion of services across Africa,” he said.

Built on the vision of equalising precision medicine/diagnostics for African populations, 7RiverLabs (named after the 7 rivers on the continent) through 54gene, has domesticated diagnostic technology; eliminating the need for samples to be sent abroad for analysis; at what is often at a considerable cost to African patients. Physicians will now be able to detect and prevent diseases earlier thereby helping to improve patients’ treatment outcomes and quality of health.

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