Assurex Health Release: New MTHFR Gene Test Extends Holistic Pharmacogenomics Approach to Treating Depression

free biotech news Get the latest biotech news where you want it. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

MASON, Ohio, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Assurex Health, a leading personalized medicine company, announced today the release of GeneSight® MTHFR, the latest addition to its pharmacogenomic test panel. GeneSight MTHFR determines the alleles at the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene to predict effects on folic acid conversion. An individual's genetic inability to convert folic acid into l-methylfolate has been linked to higher incidence of depression.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/CL75944LOGO )

The Assurex Health Clinical Development team analyzed 112 published articles and clinical studies examining the association between C677T polymorphisms and circulating homocysteine and folate levels. Over 90% of studies found a statistically significant positive association between reduced conversion of folic acid and the T allele. Patients with reduced folate levels may benefit from folic acid or folate supplementation.

MTHFR will be the fourth GeneSight test, joining other GeneSight tests already available for patients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD and chronic pain. Like the other GeneSight tests, GeneSight MTHFR uses a patient's DNA, collected via a simple cheek swab, and matches it with all relevant treatment information to provide support to clinicians to help get patients on the right regimens faster.

"The addition of GeneSight MTHFR to Assurex Health's suite of neuropsychiatric personalized medicine products will further enable clinicians to personalize and optimize treatment for patients suffering from mental illness," according to Bryan M. Dechairo, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs & Clinical Development at Assurex Health. "Prescribing a genetically informed treatment regimen helps the clinician better manage the patient's disease and improve patient outcomes."

"We are committed to providing clinicians and their patients with clinically relevant pharmacogenomic products, and we will continually update our treatment support products as new clinical data become available," said Assurex Health President, Virginia C. Drosos. "With the addition of GeneSight MTHFR, doctors, nurse practitioners and other clinicians will have another tool for getting patients back on the road to wellness faster."

About Assurex Health

Assurex Health is a personalized medicine company that specializes in pharmacogenomics and is dedicated to helping physicians determine the right medication for individual patients suffering from neuropsychiatric and other disorders. The company was founded to commercialize industry leading personalized medicine technology for neuropsychiatric disorders. Assurex Health has licensed technology from Mayo Clinic and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

For more information about Assurex Health, please visit www.assurexhealth.com.

About GeneSight

GeneSight is a laboratory developed pharmacogenomic test that uses cutting edge technology to measure and analyze clinically important genomic variants in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The results of the GeneSight report can help a clinician understand the way a patient's unique genomic makeup may affect certain psychiatric drugs. The analysis is based on pharmacogenomics, the study of genomic factors that influence an individual's response to drug treatments, manufacturers' FDA approved drug labels, peer reviewed scientific and clinical publications, and proven drug pharmacology. Quick turnaround time, combined with a customized report of the patient's genomic makeup, clinical experience, and other factors can provide information to help a physician make personalized drug treatment choices for each patient.

Registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Assurex Health



Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.

Back to news