Could the same genetic data help us develop better medicines and identify disease risk years before symptoms appear?

In this episode of Oxford+ in Partnership with Mishcon de Reya, Susannah de Jager speaks with Sir Peter Donnelly, CEO and co-founder of Genomics, about turning Oxford research into tools for drug discovery and preventative healthcare. Peter explains why assembling public data takes years of careful work, and how human genetics can help scientists choose drug targets and the patients most likely to benefit.

The conversation also examines agentic AI, which lets scientists ask questions of genetic data without waiting for specialist analysis. On the healthcare side, Peter describes how polygenic risk scores could guide screening and prevention according to individual risk rather than age alone.

Research reported by Exeter on 22 October 2026, drawing on nearly one million genomes, stresses that genetic risk needs clinical and environmental context. That distinction matters as Peter discusses personalised medicine, Our Future Health and the practical challenge of making prevention work within existing healthcare systems.

• (00:00) - Welcome to Oxford+
• (01:14) - From Mathematics to Human Genetics
• (04:27) - Turning Oxford Research into Genomics
• (09:10) - Why Combining Genetic Data Is Difficult
• (13:14) - Using Genetics to Choose Better Drug Targets
• (17:57) - Choosing Patients and Partnering with Vertex
• (20:16) - Agentic AI and Access to Genetic Analysis
• (25:25) - Polygenic Risk Scores and Disease Prevention
• (29:17) - Personalising Screening and Preventative Care
• (32:00) - Our Future Health and the NHS
• (35:54) - International Healthcare Opportunities
• (38:10) - Growing Genomics and Funding Its Next Steps

Sir Peter Donnelly: Professor Sir Peter Donnelly FRS, FMedSci is CEO and co-founder of Genomics and Emeritus Professor of Statistical Science at the University of Oxford. His work applies statistics and probability to human genetics and disease risk. He held leading roles in the International HapMap Project and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, and previously directed Oxford’s Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics. In 2014, he co-founded Genomics to turn genetic research into tools for drug discovery and disease prevention. He was knighted in 2019 for services to the understanding of human genetics in disease.

Susannah de Jager: Susannah is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

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Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager and supported by Mishcon de Reya and HSBC Innovation Banking.

Produced and Edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.