DENVER , Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) Annual Meeting, the leaders in clinical polygenic risk score (PRS) analysis at Allelica unveiled a groundbreaking approach to modeling human genetic diversity without predefined labels. This new method called "8 Billion" generates 8 billion unique risk models, to represent each individual on the planet, marking a significant milestone in the company's mission to make PRS more accurate and predictive across all varieties of human genetic diversity.
Allelica's innovative method is a big step forward to transform the traditional, restrictive "bucket" approach to genetic ancestry, which has long fallen short in capturing the genuine diversity of human beings. "Up until now, risk models in genomics have relied on broad categories that overlook the specific and unique genetic makeup of each individual," said Giordano Bottà, CEO of Allelica. "This innovation is a transformative step towards reducing disparities in healthcare, enabling a more precise and equitable approach to precision medicine.
" Current methods force each individual into a bucket defined by continental borders, even when the individual is admixed or originates from a place that does not clearly align with these constructed geographies. As a result, these misaligned individuals can experience exacerbated health inequities. The 8 Billion model's 81% improvement in estimated risk probability (Brier score) compared to the.