Jim Plante Used His Personal Tragedy to Help Save Others

It is well-known that the early detection of disease helps to increase recovery rates and reduce the cost of treatment. It is also known that determining who is most at risk from developing certain conditions may make it possible to prevent the illness or at least make the people who need more aggressive screening aware of their risks. Finding the way to make this happen and making it accessible and affordable for all has been a challenge. Luckily, innovators like Jim Plante are solving this dilemma.

Realizing the Problem

It was a personal experience that made Plante aware of the need for affordable genetic testing. More than three decades ago his father was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease. The diagnosis came too late to prevent his father from suffering from kidney failure. Later, it was discovered that Jim also had the disease and would need to undergo transplant surgery to survive.

Making a Change

Many people in Jim’s position would have focused only on their own recovery and then move on to meet their previous goals. However, because of his long history as an entrepreneur, he made the decision to do more. He used his experience working in the technology industry and combined it with biotechnology to find a solution that could benefit millions of people or more.

Discovering a Solution

By founding and building Pathway Genomics, Jim made it possible for genetic testing to become available to people around the world. The testing solutions they offer allow people to have an awareness of their own genetic information. They and their physicians can work together to use that knowledge to develop wellness plans that will help them to remain healthy longer.

Genetic testing does not cure any diseases, but it does help to identify who may become a victim of a specific illness. The risk identification and the actions taken by medical staff will increase early diagnostic rates and help to prevent some illnesses from developing. Plante remains the CEO of Pathway Genomics and also continues to invest in the healthcare industry. He devotes much of his time helping to fund research programs that are devising ways to diagnose, treat and cure common diseases.