|
| |
Genetic Tests for Thrombotic Disease Could Save
Lives and Reduce Healthcare Costs
Cambridge, Friday 22nd June 2007 … A series of
genetic tests which allow radical new approaches to the management of thrombotic
disease, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), are now available from Lab21, a
leading provider of health and environmental diagnostics.
The low cost tests involve a simple cheek swab, and can be used to predict a
patient’s genetic risk of developing DVT, or other thrombotic disease, together
with improved management of those patients who have already presented with
symptoms.
Approximately 10 percent of the population are genetically susceptible to DVT,
which can be a significant risk during surgery. Consequently a large number of
patients suffer post-operative clotting problems which could be circumvented if
this information was available.
Patients known to be at risk can be given pre-emptive treatment, such as low
molecular weight heparin to try to avoid the occurrence of the disease. However,
patients for whom the risk is not known will not be able to benefit from such
preventative measures. This can increase their chance of developing
complications as a result of DVT or post-surgical trauma.
A further problem for patients with thrombotic disease is that they are often
treated with warfarin, a drug whose effective dose varies widely from patient to
patient, and it can take a significant amount of time to adjust the dose to the
correct level. In many instances the early days following the onset of the
disease can be a critical time for the patient making any means of rapidly
identifying the correct dose hugely beneficial.
As part of its thrombotic management portfolio Lab21 also offers a further
genetic test will allow doctors to pinpoint the exact dose required, ensuring
quicker, more effective treatment. Both these tests can be carried out on the
same check swab sample and can be carried out at any point in time, even as part
of a neonatal screening programme.
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO of Lab21 said: “Although thrombotic disease is a
manageable condition, complications can have a significant impact on the
patient, increasing recovery time and the subsequent length of stay in hospital.
Given the basic premise that prevention is always better than cure these new
tests could be hugely beneficial. They are quick, painless, easy to do, and
could help provide much improved patient care at a low cost.”
Dr Jerry Walker, CEO of Lab21 added: “Genetic testing has the potential to have
a very positive impact on healthcare budgets – identifying patients genetically
predisposed to the risk of thrombotic disease will not only mean less post
surgical trauma for patients, but also result in less medical staff time in
after care, fewer drugs and shorter hospital stays. Furthermore the routine
availability of these tests could have a significant impact on the increasing
problems associated with travel-related DVT.”
These thrombotic tests build on Lab21’s developing portfolio of diagnostics for
personalised medicine, adding to tests for heart disease, liver disease, cystic
fibrosis and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
-ends-
About Lab21
Lab21 is a leading provider of cutting edge diagnostics, supporting drug
discovery, healthcare and environmental monitoring. Its customers include
healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, in addition to
organisations that need to monitor their impact on the environment.
Lab21 has a rapidly growing portfolio of diagnostics to support early stage drug
development, clinical trials and regulatory processes in the pharmaceutical
industry and to support clinicians and healthcare providers as they treat and
monitor patients.
The company’s products include diagnostic tests for cancer, liver disease,
respiratory illnesses and infectious diseases such as syphilis through its
subsidiary Newmarket Laboratories. Its pharmaceutical support services which
focus on anti-viral programmes include lead identification and optimisation of
targets, drug resistance profiling, mode of action studies, and drug combination
studies.
The Lab21 group includes MTI (Monitoring Technologies International), a company
specialising in the development of environmental monitoring instruments, and
Newmarket Laboratories, which specialises in the development and production of
high-quality immunodiagnostics for infectious diseases.
Website: www.lab21.com
At Lab21:
Dr Jerry Walker, CEO
t : +44 (0)1223 395450
e: Jerry.Walker@lab-21.com
Dr Berwyn Clarke, CSO
t: +44 (0)1223 395461
e: berwyn.clarke@lab-21.com
Media relations for Lab21:
Northbank Communications
Tony Stephenson, Senior Account Manager
Sue Charles, CEO
Claire Mosley, Account Executive
t : +44 (0) 20 7268 3002
e:
lab21@northbankcommunications.com
| |
|
