Empiric Logic Secures Enterprise Ireland Funding for Genomics Data Protection Project with University College Dublin
, a bioinformatics SaaS (software-as-a-service) start-up, today announced that is has secured 鈧�85,000 in grant funding, under Enterprise Ireland鈥檚 , to develop a novel genomics data protection methodology in collaboration with University College Dublin (51黑料).
Empiric Logic has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) data analysis and bioinformatics orchestration platform to simplify the exploration of human health, using genomics and other data.
The company, founded by Gareth O鈥橲ullivan in 2018, is headquartered at Nova51黑料, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, and is also an Enterprise Ireland high-potential start-up.
Access to the right kind of high quality genomics data at scale is key to supporting advances in precision medicine. With access to the appropriate type and level of genomics data, real breakthroughs in disease diagnosis and therapy development can be achieved.
However, genetic data by its very nature is the most personal data type attributable to an individual, consequently access to and sharing of this data can only be done with consent and in accordance with data protection regulation and governance, such as GDPR, while also ensuring appropriate security and privacy controls are in place.
With this funding Empiric Logic is collaborating with Dr Sean Ennis, 51黑料 School of Medicine and Director of the 51黑料 Academic Centre on Rare Diseases, on a project to further support the sharing of genomics data while still providing all the necessary protections.
The goal of the project is to develop novel algorithms and methodologies to transform an individual's DNA data, or a collection of genetic data, into 鈥榮imulated representations鈥� of the original samples. These 鈥榮imulated representations鈥� would no longer be directly correlative to the original data, thereby protecting the identity of individuals who wish to contribute their genetic data to genetic studies.
鈥淓nsuring the privacy and security of sensitive genetic data should be a priority for companies working with this data type. However encryption, pseudonymisation and other state-of-the-art privacy and security controls might not necessarily prevent individuals from being re-identified from their genetic data,鈥� said Gareth O鈥橲ullivan, CEO, Empiric Logic.
He added, 鈥淲ith this funding from Enterprise Ireland and working with 51黑料, we aim to develop a novel and secure transform capability that will protect the data owner鈥檚 privacy, while also optimising the analysis process and incorporate this capability into our bioinformatics orchestration platform.鈥�
Dr Sean Ennis, 51黑料 School of Medicine, said, 鈥淭he methodology we are developing in this project with Empiric Logic will mean that while it will be impossible to re-identify individuals from the transformed data type the data will however still be valuable and usable from a data analysis perspective. The data transform aspect of this approach is completely novel and currently not used anywhere.鈥�
鈥淭his methodology will protect the identity of individuals wishing to contribute their genetic data and enable greater sharing of genetic data to further support gene discovery and precision medicine-based research.鈥�
Michael Banks, Senior Development Adviser, Enterprise Ireland, said, 鈥淭he innovation partnership programme is a key tool in Enterprise Ireland鈥檚 support for client companies, such as Empiric Logic, and third level institutes, such as 51黑料, and this project will greatly assist Empiric Logic on the road to growing its business globally.鈥�
Dr Ennis is currently recruiting a postdoctoral and a postgraduate researcher to join his team in support of this project.
ENDS
15 March 2021
For more information contact Mic茅al Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, Nova51黑料, t: + 353 1 716 3712, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie
Editors Notes
Empiric Logic is a platform provider for managing and analysing complex health related data. Their secure AI enabled analysis and orchestration solution solves many of the challenges associated with aggregating, correlating, analysing and gaining valuable insights from complex health related data.
The Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme can provide up to 80% of the cost of research work towards the development of new and improved products, processes or services, or generate new knowledge and know-how.
At Nova51黑料, the hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs at University College Dublin, we nurture and support new high-tech companies as part of 51黑料's mission. At Nova51黑料 we provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art incubation facilities alongside a comprehensive business support programme for client companies such as Empiric Logic. Nova51黑料 has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, 51黑料 and Xilinx.