SOPHiA GENETICS Partners with Jessa Hospital for Precision Oncology Advances

SOPHiA GENETICS Partners with Jessa Hospital for Precision Oncology

In a groundbreaking development for cancer care in Belgium, SOPHiA GENETICS, a leading cloud-native healthcare technology company, has announced its partnership with Jessa Hospital in Hasselt. This collaboration was unveiled during the European Congress of Pathology and marks a significant advancement in the field of precision oncology.

Enhancing Cancer Care Through Genomic Testing

SOPHiA GENETICS, known for its innovative approach to data-driven medicine, is set to work with Jessa Hospital, which serves over 530,000 people and processes more than 3,000 oncology DNA and RNA samples annually. The partnership aims to implement advanced genomic testing services that will greatly enhance the diagnostic capabilities for cancer patients across Belgium.

By utilizing the SOPHiA DDM™ platform, Jessa Hospital will centralize all pathology-related activities into a single, standardized Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow. This harmonization involves universal library preparation, automated protocols, and a fully integrated system with the hospital's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). As a result, the hospital expects to reduce working time by 30-50% and overall costs by up to 25%, significantly accelerating the turnaround time for tests.

Streamlined Operations for Better Patient Outcomes

The integration of six SOPHiA GENETICS applications tailored to the testing needs of solid tumors, hematological malignancies, and liquid biopsy analysis is a vital aspect of this collaboration. This enhancement is poised to improve clinical decision-making as well as research capabilities, fostering a more effective response to cancer treatment.

Dr. Brigitte Maes, a clinical pathologist at Jessa Hospital's Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, emphasized the importance of innovation in the hospital's approach to oncology. "By partnering with SOPHiA GENETICS, we can fully harmonize and accelerate our NGS workflows. This move allows us to generate molecular insights more quickly and accurately, benefiting both our clinical decision-making and research projects," she stated.

Sharing Resources and Knowledge

Another interesting facet of this partnership is the shared resource strategy between Jessa Hospital and AZ Delta in Roeselare, Belgium. Both institutions have jointly invested in sharing a NovaSeq sequencer, operating under the Bridge Consortium framework. This collaborative network will enhance sequencing service turnaround times, optimize the use of sequencing resources, and advance knowledge sharing among institutions.

Kevin Puylaert, the Managing Director EMEA at SOPHiA GENETICS, commented, "Our partnership with Jessa Hospital illustrates how SOPHiA GENETICS can support leading institutions in scaling their genomics capabilities while ensuring the highest quality and efficiency. By providing a fully automated, cloud-native solution tailored to their oncology needs, we empower Jessa Hospital to streamline workflows and accelerate insights, ultimately elevating patient care throughout Belgium."

Impact on European Healthcare

This collaboration not only strengthens SOPHiA GENETICS' foothold in the European hospital network but also highlights the potential of decentralized, data-driven precision medicine in enhancing patient care. As the field of oncology continues to evolve, the integration of advanced genomics into healthcare systems becomes increasingly vital.

Conclusion

To find out more about SOPHiA GENETICS and their contributions to precision medicine, attendees can visit their presence at the European Congress of Pathology in Vienna, Austria, from September 6 to 9, 2025. With advancements in genomic data analytics and a commitment to providing world-class care, SOPHiA GENETICS is dedicated to improving outcomes for cancer and rare disease patients worldwide.

For more information, visit SOPHiAGENETICS.COM or connect with them on LinkedIn.