ProMedica CEO travels to China to persuade genetics firm to open an operation in Toledo

ProMedica CEO Randy Oostra is on a five-day trip to China that he hopes will yield new investment in Toledo.

Oostra, who left for China Saturday, said last week he’s been encouraging a genomics and genetic-testing company in China to open an operation in Toledo.

He said talks are still early and he declined to identify the company.

But the ProMedica chief executive officer said he would meet again with the company’s leadership on the current trip as part of ProMedica’s ongoing efforts to learn more about the Chinese health care system, explore additional consulting opportunities, and search for talent.

“We have one company in particular that has a lot of interest,” Oostra said of the Chinese genomics company.

ProMedica, one of the nation’s 15 largest health systems with $6.1 billion in revenue, has big plans for China.

A month ago, ProMedica hosted two groups of Chinese physicians and hospital leaders interested in learning more about how ProMedica delivers care, said Oostra, the reverse side of whose business card is in Chinese lettering.

This week’s trip includes the pitch to the Chinese genomics company as well as plans to scout for hospital consulting and management contracts, he said.

Genomics and genetic testing are becoming increasingly common for everyday healthcare patients as U.S. health systems use simple blood draws to test DNA for potential health problems and tailor treatment protocols to individuals.

ProMedica is already using the technology to help patients, said Dr. Lee Hammerling, ProMedica’s chief academic officer and president of New Ventures.

ProMedica, for example, is conducting genetic testing for drug sensitivity “to ensure that patients will have an appropriate response to treatments,” Hammerling said.

ProMedica also is testing tumors for genetic signals to select the right chemotherapy for individuals, he said. The use of genetics for individual care falls under an industry umbrella called “personalized medicine.”

The Chinese genomics company that Oostra is calling on would boost ProMedica’s research and clinical care while providing an economic shot in the arm to Toledo, Hammerling said.

“Having a better understanding of genetics is increasingly important to most appropriately treat diseases,” he said.

Health systems in other parts of the country are redoubling their commitment to precision medicine.

Geisinger Health System, based in Danville, Pa., has more than 150,000 patients who’ve had blood drawn so their DNA can be secured and analyzed for traits and markers that might lead to diseases.