Canada is deploying artificial intelligence to remove a major bottleneck in precision medicine: the process of ordering the right genetic test. A new national initiative called the Clinical Intelligence for Phenotyping and Genomics Research (CIPHER) network, backed by C$5.4 million in funding from Genome Canada, aims to make genomic testing faster and more accessible by automating how clinicians request tests and how labs process them .

The project centers on SmartRequisition, an AI-assisted platform developed by PhenoTips, a Toronto-based genomic health software company founded in 2014 as a joint venture between the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. The platform builds on PhenoTips' existing AI-powered genomic health record software, which is already integrated with electronic health records in the UK's National Health Services and Canadian provincial health authorities .

What Problem Does SmartRequisition Actually Solve?

Ordering genetic tests today involves multiple steps that can slow down diagnosis. A clinician must describe a patient's symptoms, a lab must interpret those symptoms to recommend the right test, and then the requisition must be standardized before testing begins. Each handoff creates potential for miscommunication or delays. SmartRequisition automates this workflow by using AI to translate clinical descriptions into standardized digital test requisitions that labs can immediately understand and process .

"With SmartRequisition, we're addressing one of the core bottlenecks by making it easier for clinicians to order the right test, and for labs to provide accurate results," said Orion Buske, CEO and cofounder of PhenoTips.

Orion Buske, CEO and Cofounder at PhenoTips

The CIPHER network brings together five major Canadian health institutions to develop and validate the platform in real clinical settings. Partners include IWK Health, Alberta Health Services, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, the Hospital for Sick Children, and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. IWK Health, a clinical genetics provider, is co-leading the initiative alongside PhenoTips .

How Does This Expand Access to Precision Medicine?

Precision medicine relies on understanding a patient's genetic makeup to guide treatment decisions. But genetic testing remains underutilized in many clinical settings, partly because the ordering process is cumbersome. By simplifying requisitions, SmartRequisition removes friction that discourages clinicians from ordering tests they might otherwise consider. The result is faster diagnosis for patients with genetic diseases and broader access to personalized treatment options .

"Through this collaboration with PhenoTips and partners nationwide, we're using AI to simplify that process and bring the benefits of precision medicine to more patients, faster," noted Lee Anne Boutilier, director of precision medicine at IWK Health.

Lee Anne Boutilier, Director of Precision Medicine at IWK Health

Key Components of the CIPHER Network Initiative

• Platform Technology: SmartRequisition uses AI to convert clinical phenotyping data into standardized digital test requisitions that labs can process immediately without manual interpretation.
• Partner Institutions: Five Canadian health organizations collaborate on development and validation, including IWK Health, Alberta Health Services, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, the Hospital for Sick Children, and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
• Integration Capability: The platform connects with electronic health records systems already deployed in UK National Health Services Trusts and Canadian provincial health authorities, ensuring seamless clinical workflow adoption.
• Funding and Support: Genome Canada provided C$5.4 million to support the initiative, with PhenoTips having previously raised C$2 million in extended seed financing to advance its genomic health software platform.

The CIPHER network's multi-institution approach creates a real-world testing ground for validating the platform across different patient populations and clinical settings, which is essential before wider adoption. By automating the translation of clinical symptoms into standardized test requests, SmartRequisition frees clinicians to focus on patient interaction and diagnosis interpretation, while labs can process orders more efficiently .