Sophisticated application of pharmacogenomics in personalised medicine

This thesis described for the first time the prevalence of key genetic variants and gene-drug interactions known to influence medication response in the Australian population. Sophisticated modelling software was then used to build “virtual twins” of real patients using their genetic, environmental and demographic data to pre-emptively predict therapeutic starting doses of clozapine, an important antipsychotic drug. A model which reasonably predicts therapeutic clozapine starting doses was then developed and validated in Australia and Canada. This model informed precision dosing approach has the potential to offer dosage guidance for other medications and advance the implementation of personalised medicine.