GHS And Selah Launch A Genetic Test For Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death

GREENVILLE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To meet the growing patient demand for more precise, personalized medicine, Greenville Health System (GHS) and Selah Genomics (Selah) are expanding a partnership founded in May 2015 to develop and commercialize genetic tests, initially for cancer patients. The partnership now includes cardiovascular genetic testing with the commercial launch of a new test which reveals a person’s risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

“Our patients will have access to cardiac genetic screening right in their own community, from their own trusted cardiologists. We look forward to continuing to expand the GHS cardiovascular disease research program.”

SCD often occurs within one hour of the onset of symptoms in a person with seemingly normal health due to inherited medical conditions caused by abnormalities of the structure or rhythm of the heart. SCD accounts for nearly 400,000 deaths annually in the United States, more than lung cancer, breast cancer and AIDS. The test, called mySUDDinCode, includes comprehensive analysis of 55 genes related to SCD and is now available for the first time in the United States at GHS.

As an integral part of the service, the results from each mySUDDinCode test will be reviewed by internationally pre-eminent cardiologist Dr. Ramon Brugada. Dr. Brugada is a Co-founder of the world renowned Brugada Institute along with his brothers, Dr. Pedro and Dr. Jose Brugada. The Brugada brothers described a case-series of 8 patients with SCD in a 1992 landmark publication. Currently, the three brothers conduct research on the syndrome that has been named after them.

Dr. Brugada said, “With our current knowledge in cardiovascular genetics, it is no longer a matter of whether such tests are affordable, but of whether physicians can afford not requesting them." Dr. Brugada spoke on SCD and cardiovascular genetics as the keynote speaker at the GHS’ annual Cardiovascular Symposium on January 30.

GHS cardiologists are actively involved in development of the testing service which will expand as cardiovascular genetics continues to advance. “We are excited to make this diagnostic test available to cardiology patients at GHS,” said Dr. Trey Chandler, chair of GHS’ division of cardiology and a physician with Carolina Cardiology Consultants. “Our patients will have access to cardiac genetic screening right in their own community, from their own trusted cardiologists. We look forward to continuing to expand the GHS cardiovascular disease research program.”

“We are thankful for our growing partnership with GHS and its Research Development Corporation,” said Michael Bolick, co-founder and CEO of Selah Genomics. “This partnership expansion coincides with the exciting news that we just received accreditation of our laboratories from the College of American Pathologists and also with the launch of our new line of services for companies with innovative wellness programs.”

Greenville Health Research Development Corporation, GHS’ non-profit entity supporting innovation focused on technology transfer and the development of industry partnerships that can advance clinical care, will receive a portion of the revenues collected from the sale of mySUDDincode. These funds will be exclusively utilized to strengthen related research and education efforts at GHS.

About Greenville Health System (GHS)

Greenville Health System (GHS) is committed to medical excellence through patient care, research and education. GHS offers patients a network of eight medical campuses, physician practices and numerous specialty services throughout Upstate South Carolina. The system is also home to one of the nation’s newest medical schools – University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. GHS is among the largest healthcare networks in the Southeast.

About Selah Genomics

Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, Selah Genomics has a singular focus on advancing more precise, personalized medicine services. We offer cutting edge genetic testing to better diagnose and monitor disease, detect risk, and identify which therapies will work best for individual patients, thereby improving patient outcomes.