It started with a vision: ‘The Woodstock for Genomics’

The Festival of Genomics, Biodata & AI began with a bold idea - to create a dynamic and truly inclusive gathering of scientists and clinicians, all with a focus on leveraging new innovative technologies and rapidly translating research into better outcomes for patients with serious illnesses. 
We wanted to energize the field, connect communities, and showcase the life-changing potential of genomics and related technologies for patients everywhere. To deliver the most practically valuable event experience possible, in a fun, engaging way. 

That spirit still drives us today.

The UK's Festival is now the Europe's largest life sciences event, and the Boston Festival is one of North America's fastest growing science events.  Both events have expanded well beyond their initial scope - moving beyond genomics and into areas as diverse as drug discovery and development, precision medicine, AI & biodata, single cell and spatial analysis, liquid biopsy, proteomics, multi-omics and much more. 

Rich Lumb FOG FounderA message from Richard Lumb, CEO of Front Line Genomics and Founder of The Festival

When I had the idea of organizing the Festivals back in 2013, I never would have dreamt that they would turn into the size of the events they are today. I was motivated by the loss of my dad to a rare form of cancer – mesothelioma - back in 2009. There was so much excitement about the potential of genomics and other related technologies, but they were not yet making a difference for patients like my dad (and others in my family with similar experiences). Things needed to move faster towards the patient. 

Perhaps naively, and driven by a quiet determination, I wanted to change that.

This led to a simple mission: To deliver the benefits of genomics to patients faster. It also led to me setting up Front Line Genomics, the company that organizes the Festivals in Boston and London.

So, the initial idea with the Festival was to do three things

1.

Try to create an event that was free for most people to attend, so that more people would have access, and – ultimately – this would maximize the impact on patient outcomes. In simple terms: more people = more impact.

2.

Break down silos, and bring people together from healthcare, pharma and the research sector (plus other stakeholders), so that we could accelerate translation from ground-breaking research to patient impact.

3.

Get people engaged, excited and educated by genomics, which was still a new thing for many people at the time. The scope of The Festival swiftly moved beyond genomics into other related areas that also have an impact.

The Festivals Today

 

The Festivals today are very different to how they were back in 2015 when the first event happened. I am proud of the role they play, particularly the free access we provide to so many attendees, the focus on translational research that impacts patients, and in showcasing and promoting developments that have the most potential to impact lives.

And yet, what is clearer than ever, is that for the benefits of new breakthroughs to be realized, genomics alone - as increasingly critical as it is - is often not sufficient to impact patient lives. 

For instance, the handling, analysis and incorporation of other forms of biodata; transcriptomics and proteomics  (and multi-omics in general) to understand what is happening in individual patients, downstream of the genome; the development of new diagnostic tools such as liquid biopsy; leveraging exciting new methodologies such as single cell and spatial analysis; and - of course - the growing adoption and short-term translation of AI into better drug discovery and development and better patient outcomes in general. Genomics is a key component in a growing tool kit to improve patient outcomes.

And so, the Festivals in London and Boston have expanded to cover not just genomics, but other topics that – when used together with genomics under the right circumstances – can lead to better patient outcomes than with genomics alone.

FOG London Audience in headphones

About Front Line Genomics

 

Front Line Genomics organizes The Festival of Genomics, Biodata & AI, and was set up in 2014, following the death of the founder’s father to a rare form of cancer. We are a dedicated team of genomics and science enthusiasts, many of us with our own personal stories of how genomics and other related areas have influenced our lives.

We work towards our goal of delivering the benefits of genomics to patients faster by creating interesting content and practical resources via our website, and producing webinars, events and reports. We typically support people in healthcare, research, pharma, investment, technology, policy and government, charitable and patient organizations, as well as, from time-to-time, patients themselves.

At Front Line Genomics, our main focus is on creating meaningful change in the lives of patients, not profit. Where possible, everything we produce is free-to-access, so that we have more impact on patient outcomes.

Our History

 

Back in 2014, Front Line Genomics originally partnered with a large organization in the events sector, organizing Festivals in London, California and Boston.

Since then, we’ve supported more than 1 million people via the Festivals, conferences, meet-ups, our website, reports and webinars. In 2018 we became an independent, privately owned business – free to prioritize our social mission – and we haven’t looked back since.

We have successfully grown the London Festival of Genomics to become Europe’s largest annual life sciences event. The Boston Festival is one of North America's fastest growing life sciences events.

We have expanded the Festivals to cover topics downstream of the genomics workflow, launching multiple digital events and webinars, and publishing several reports designed to support the genomics and biodata community. See the Front Line Genomics website to find out more. 

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