Congenica expands in North America with strategic appointment

CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM - Jan 17, 2017 - Congenica, a world leading developer of genome analysis and interpretation technologies, expands its operations in the US with the announcement that it has recruited Dr Shikha O’Brien as its Chief Business Officer. Dr O’Brien will be based out of San Diego, California, where she will oversee the Global Sales and Marketing operations. Established in 2014, Congenica has grown rapidly as progressive genetic medicine centres adopt its web-based rare disease diagnostic platform, Sapientia™, for clinical use. Dr O’Brien, an accomplished executive in the Life Sciences and Healthcare informatics field, is joining the genomics company as it seeks to drive global growth and establish strategic partnerships.

Dr Tom Weaver, Congenica CEO, has welcomed the appointment of Dr O’Brien. He said: “We are delighted to have Shikha O’Brien join our Executive Team as we grow our global client base. Shikha has significant experience with big data analytics and genomic-based clinical and research applications with a strong record of growing companies in our segment. We see her experience in digital healthcare and working with the pharma industry as a core element in our strategy of global expansion, with the current focus on the US market and China.”

Dr O’Brien said: “Congenica is a rapidly expanding company with proven technology that is driving the genomics revolution in precision medicine. In clinical applications, Sapientia’s genome analysis and interpretation platform is already delivering the highest diagnostic yield in accurate and rapid identification of rare and inherited diseases. Working closely with Congenica’s world renowned scientific leadership team, we will be building upon these advances to mainstream the Sapientia technology.”

Her previous roles included establishing start-ups and bringing innovative solutions in the Life Sciences and Healthcare informatics. Her particular focus is in value-based leadership and in becoming the voice of the customers which has resulted in long term commercial success for many companies. Dr O’Brien will be based out of San Diego, California, where she will oversee the Global Sales and Marketing function and manage Congenica’s operations in the US. San Diego will be Congenica’s first office outside of the UK, with plans to establish another one on the east coast.

Congenica will be presenting at the upcoming Precision Medicine World Conference in Silicon Valley on Jan 23rd 2017, “Rare Disease Diagnosis - Shortening Odysseys, Improving Outcomes”.