TUCSON, AZ – UGenome AI, a pioneer in genomic technology, today announced an expanded partnership with Jura Health, Inc. to integrate both pharmacogenomic and nutrigenomic insights into the diagnosis of rare diseases and the development of personalized care plans. By combining expertise in whole genome sequencing (WGS), drug-gene interactions, and nutrient- gene relationships, the collaboration is designed to help rare disease patients receive earlier diagnoses, safer treatments, and lifestyle guidance tailored to their DNA.
Recognizing that non-medical determinants of health are central to the whole health of families facing a rare disease diagnosis, UGenome AI and Jura Health have launched a groundbreaking collaboration with Open Table, 501(c)(3) nonprofit pioneering community-based relational and social capital solutions to address well-being at the community, neighborhood, and individual levels.
In a pivotal step toward advancing whole-person care in rare disease treatment, the partnership will integrate Open Table’s nationally adopted models and resource navigation and access technologies to directly support individuals, children, and caregivers. By mobilizing community relational and social capital networks, this collaboration aims to address urgent non-medical barriers—including social isolation, housing instability, transportation gaps, caregiver burnout, and the overwhelming need for coordinated resource access—precisely when families are at their most vulnerable.
When a rare disease strikes, caregivers are consumed by urgent medical needs, often forced to leave their jobs, while siblings and spouses receive less attention, and households face profound emotional and logistical disruption. The psychological toll – including stress, depression and anxiety – is especially acute. Open Table interventions are proven to improve lives and reduce costs for both Medicaid and Medicare plan members by stabilizing families,preventing crises, and decreasing avoidable emergency and inpatient care. Through volunteers and their social capital networks, this collaboration delivers a compassionate, scalable solution that surrounds families with timely support—offering dignity, stability, and hope in the midst of one of life’s hardest journeys.
In the U.S., roughly 30 million people live with a rare disease. Around 80% of these conditions have a genetic origin, and many patients endure years of misdiagnosis before finding answers. This diagnostic odyssey not only delays treatment but also results in over $220,000 in avoidable healthcare costs per patient. By incorporating nutrigenomics and pharmacogenomics, Jura Health and UGenome aim to shorten this timeline and expand the toolkit providers can use to personalize care – especially in areas like mental health, where the stakes are high and treatments can come with trial-and-error risks and delays.
More than 95% of people have at least one actionable pharmacogenomic variant. These variants can significantly impact how patients respond to medications, particularly in high-impact areas such as mental health (e.g., SSRIs and antipsychotics), cardiology (e.g., beta blockers and anticoagulants), oncology (e.g., chemotherapeutics), and pain management (e.g., opioids and NSAIDs). For rare disease patients, many of whom are prescribed complex drug regimens, knowing how their body is likely to respond to specific medications is critical to avoiding adverse effects and improving outcomes.
“Understanding how genes influence drug metabolism is crucial for rare disease patients who are often on complex treatment regimens,” said Zachary Brooks, PhD, founder and CEO of UGenome AI. “But equally important is understanding how those same genes impact nutrition and wellness. Nutrigenomic insights can guide patients toward diet and supplement strategies that support their health, energy levels, and disease management. This represents a powerful application of the ‘food as medicine’ philosophy—using genetic insights to align diet with therapeutic goals, improve mental and physical resilience, and reduce disease burden over time.”
This new partnership empowers patients and providers with comprehensive genomic data that not only reduces the risk of adverse drug reactions but also highlights actionable nutrition strategies. By embracing ‘food as medicine,’ providers can offer genomically informed dietary guidance that complements clinical care—helping patients tailor what they eat to how their body functions at the molecular level. This is especially important in the context of mental health where certain nutrients can influence neurological function and emotional stability.
“This collaboration enhances our ability to deliver not just answers, but guidance, and support,” said Chris Moore, CEO of Jura Health. “Our goal is to collapse the average diagnostic timeline from 6 years to 1 month. With UGenome’s expanded platform, we can now offer patients a full- spectrum view of how their genes impact both medication and nutrition, crucial factors in long- term health outcomes, including emotional and cognitive well-being. This also opens severaldoors to expanded Medicaid coverage to help families combat the high costs of care and remove non-medical determinants of health challenges.”
Together, Jura Health and UGenome AI with Open Table patient support models and technology are redefining what personalized medicine means for rare disease patients—offering not only faster diagnoses, but smarter treatment and daily wellness support grounded in each individual’s genome.
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About UGenome AI
UGenome AI is a biotech company advancing precision medicine through innovative genomics software. Its tools—including personalized reference genomes, pharmacogenomics, and nutrigenomics—help patients receive accurate, tailored care faster than ever before. Learn more at www.ugenome.bio.
Jura Health is a Public Benefit Corporation delivering whole genome sequencing, genetic counseling, and lifelong support for rare disease patients. Jura Health’s platform bridges gaps in access, equity, and outcomes through technology and compassion. Learn more at www.jura.health.
Communities focusing on complex challenges choose evidence-driven Open Table models that train volunteers to access the untapped power of social capital within their personal, social, and business networks to develop new and effective resources and solutions.
Media Contacts
For UGenome AI: Zachary Brooks – zachbrooks@ugenome.io
For Jura Health: Chris Moore – chris.moore@jura.health
For Open Table: Jon Katov – jonkatov@theopentable.org