Dubiotech: Dubai Based Biotechnology Company Introduces Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnostic Test for Trisomy
Eastern Biotech has partnered with BGI Health laboratories based in Hong Kong to bring this test to the UAE and other GCC countries at a cost that’s affordable to most parents worried about the possibility of giving birth to a baby with Down’s syndrome
The test that’s globally marketed as NIFTY by BGI Health is being launched in the UAE under the brand name TRIGENE by Eastern Biotech. The company based within the Biotechnology Cluster, Dubiotech has been a pioneer in bringing state of the art genetic tests to the Middle East. BGI Health is the biggest sequencing centre in the world with it’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China and laboratories in US, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Commenting on the association, Dr. Faruq Badiuddin, Chairman of Eastern Biotech and Life Sciences said” We are very proud to be a regional partner of the sequencing giant, BGI Health and I believe that this product launch is just the start of a long association with BGI to bring many more cost effective genetic diagnostic products to the region. We are hoping to work with BGI in larger projects that involve other genetic disorders, especially Cancer genetics, monogenic disorders and Thalassemia which has a very high incidence in the region.”
To promote awareness of this new technology among the medical professionals in the region, Eastern Biotech sponsored and conducted a Seminar titled “Non Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis of Trisomies and Other Monogenic Disorders” at the Novotel Hotel, Dubai World Trade Centre on the 21st March 2013. Over 70 Eminent doctors from the region attended the seminar which had amongst it’s speakers Dr. Sanjida Ahmed, PHD, Research Director, Eastern Biotech and Life Sciences, Dr. Ying Liu, MD PHD, Marketing Director, BGI Asia Pacific and Dr. Hafeez Ur Rahman, well known Gynaecologist and Chairman of International Modern Hospital Dubai. Dr. Ajit Shyam Kanbur spoke on the clinical utility of the new technology and Dr. Amala Nazareeth presented case studies in relation to the use of application of the test in routine clinical practice. Miss Sonika Sachanandani, an Australian qualified in-house genetic counselor of Eastern Biotech, emphasized the importance of Genetic Counseling in this new age of genetic diagnosis. Added Dr Faruq “We recognize that carrying out Genetic tests without appropriate counseling is only half the service. We believe that all genetic tests should be complimented by appropriate counseling by qualified professionals to “Close the Loop” and offer a comprehensive picture to the clinician and the anxious patient who may have tested positive”. As part of its product launch Eastern Biotech is offering complimentary Genetic counseling to all clients who test positive for their TRIGENE test during March and April 2013.
The attending Gynaecologists discussed the clinical applications of the test extensively and the vast majority of them agreed that this technology is set to replace all other prenatal diagnostic methods whether invasive or non-invasive. The only apparent hinderance to wider application of the test seems to be the cost which is bound to come down as the test becomes cheaper with time. Eastern Biotech and BGI Health are working together to see how further cost savings for their clients can be achieved without loss of quality, efficiency, and accuracy.
Media Contact:
Pankaj Sohaney,
Director Marketing & Business Development
Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences FZ LLC
DuBiotech, Dubai UAE
http://www.easternbiotech.com
Phone: 00971 4 4503875