Another Bell is Rung!
By Elizabeth Walker | December 20 2018
Jim Arthurs, David Keren, Sofia Merajver, Amanda Cook and Lynn McCain
On Thursday, December 20, 2018, at 3:30 pm, the founders of InheRET, Inc., participated in the bell ringing ceremony at the University of Michigan’s Technology Transfer office. The event signaled the formal licensing of technology developed at the University of Michigan to the spin-off corporation.
InheRET, Inc., developed jointly by the Department of Pathology and the Department of Internal Medicine faculty and staff, has produced an online family health history questionnaire. It interprets patient-entered data against best practice guidelines to determine if patients are at increased risk for hereditary disease. This program is in pilot testing, funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, at three University of Michigan clinics: Dexter Family Medicine, University Health Service, and the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Clinic. More than 30% of primary care patients taking the questionnaire have been identified as at increased risk for hereditary cancers. These patients, who were not previously identified in the primary care setting, are now eligible for further evaluation by genetics specialists. They can discuss preventive options with their healthcare providers and can reduce their cancer risk by as much as 95%.
The InheRET team represents the wide spectrum of expertise and experience necessary for success:
- David Keren, MD, CEO/Chairman of the Board: Professor of Pathology with 22 years of experience running Warde Medical Laboratory.
- Sofia Merajver, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer/Vice Chair of the Board: Professor of Internal Medicine, Director of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Clinic, a genetic oncology specialist.
- Lynn McCain, MHSA, PMP, Director of Operations/Secretary & Treasurer of the Board, with a background in finance and administration, non-profit start-ups and project management.
- Lee Schroeder, MD, PhD, Chief Analytics Officer, Assistant Professor of Pathology, specializing in data analytics and the interface between technology and patient care.
- Kara Milliron, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor in the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Clinic, specializing in hereditary cancer syndromes.
- Amanda Cook, BA, Technical Project Manager and Business Development, with a strong background in insurance services and product development.
- Jim Arthurs, Mentor in Residence sponsored by Ann Arbor SPARK, is a veteran executive with six startups in multiple industries, including medical diagnostics and software organizations.
- Robert Paquette, software programmer with over 30 years of database application programming experience in healthcare and other arenas.
Pilot testing will continue through the remainder of 2018 and into early 2019. A commercial launch of the product is expected during the first quarter of 2019. InheRET is currently seeking beta testing sites as well as Business and Scientific Advisory Board members. For more information, go to https://www.InheRET.com, email info@InheRET.com, or call 866-464-3738.
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