COVID-19 is destroying not only lives and the economy but also mental health. The global pandemic is widely expected to result in a dramatic increase in post-traumatic syndrome disorder (PTSD) cases. However, the bright side to adversity is the impetus it provides to enterprise and great achievements. A prime example of that principle may be the new collaboration between a pair of diagnostic firms—one in genomics and the other in artificial intelligence (AI)—that have set out to develop new biomarkers and methodologies that can be used for early detection of PTSD. The Diagnostic Challenge The current survey-based methods of early PTSD identification tend to be subjective and biased due to the stigma associated with the condition. Recognizing the need for unbiased genomic and data-driven technologies, TruGenomix, a Maryland-based developer of next-generation-based genomic tests for PTSD formed by a pair of military veterans steeped in behavioral health research, entered into talks with BlueBee, the California-based provider of a rapidly configurable omics data platform, about collaborating to create a biomarker-based risk assessment for early PTSD identification. When the pandemic hit, it infused the project with a new sense of urgency. The Collaboration On May 20, the companies announced their new strategic partnership. […]