SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AltheaDx, Inc. today announced a significant expansion to the neuropsychiatric component of its IDgenetix® pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing portfolio, NeuroIDgenetix™. The NeuroIDgenetix™ panel now includes PGx testing for medications used to treat both bipolar disorder and seizure disorder. Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans on an annual basis, while approximately 4.3 million adults have a diagnosis of epilepsy or a seizure disorder every year. 1,2
Despite the availability of numerous FDA-approved medications for the treatment of both bipolar and seizure disorders, many patients either do not respond adequately to these medications, or have adverse events that cause them to discontinue or switch to a different medication.
With the addition of these 2 new offerings, the NeuroIDgenetix™ panel now includes a total of 6 tests for neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, psychosis, and seizure disorder), as well as 4 tests for pain (arthritis, migraine, musculoskeletal pain, and neuropathic pain). NeuroIDgenetix™ remains one of the most comprehensive neuropsychiatric pharmacogenetic tests available on the market.
The expanded NeuroIDgenetix™ panel evaluates a total of 128 FDA-approved neuropsychiatric and pain medications, now including mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder, as well as a variety of anticonvulsant medications that are used in the treatment of seizure disorders. The panel analyzes 15 clinically-validated genes, including those involved in drug metabolism (pharmacokinetics), as well as those that influence how an individual will respond to a variety of different medications (pharmacodynamics).
IDgenetix® test results are provided to the ordering healthcare provider within 24-48 hours of receipt of the patient’s cheek swab sample at the AltheaDx laboratory. This turnaround time is among the fastest in the industry. Based on the genetic results obtained from the patient’s DNA, the IDgenetix® Test Report places each drug evaluated in that therapeutic area in one of two columns: “Use as Directed” or “Use with Caution and/or Increased Monitoring”. In addition, medications that a patient is currently taking are highlighted, and drug-specific dosing messages are provided for select medications listed, to help guide the healthcare provider’s treatment decisions.
"Lack of efficacy and the side effects associated with the standard of care represent significant challenges in treating neuropsychiatric disorders," said Jorge Garces, Ph.D., President and Chief Operating Officer at AltheaDx. "These new IDgenetix® tests provide a comprehensive approach using genomic profiling and medication therapy management to guide treatment decisions in an attempt to avoid unnecessary and potentially toxic therapies. There is a clear need to expand the use of pharmacogenetic testing beyond psychiatric care and into other clinical areas which often manifest as co-morbidities in these patients. We will continue to enhance and expand our portfolio to best address a broader market need.”
AltheaDx has focused its efforts on developing a platform and suite of services for PGx testing that provide highly reliable and actionable information about a patient’s potential therapeutic response or adverse reaction to a medication. As a result, IDgenetix® testing enables a tailored and personalized approach to the selection of medications for many common medical conditions, based on each patient’s unique genetic make-up and other important patient-specific healthcare information. This evidence-based approach can eliminate certain trial-and-error prescribing practices that are known to produce a higher rate of adverse events and/or treatment failures.
About AltheaDx
AltheaDx is a commercial stage molecular diagnostics company which focuses on enabling physicians, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare entities to make personalized therapeutic decisions for patients. AltheaDx’s IDgenetix® pharmacogenetic testing portfolio addresses some of the most prevalent clinical conditions in the United States, including cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric disorders and pain. AltheaDx is a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified laboratory located in San Diego, CA. For more information, visit www.altheadx.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the business strategy of AltheaDx. These statements relate to future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual levels of activity or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. These statements reflect the views of AltheaDx as of the date of this press release with respect to future events and, except as required by law, it undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release.
References:
1. National Institute of Mental Health
2. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 2015