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New Studies Published Demonstrate the Value of IDgenetix® Pharmacogenetic TestingAltheaDx, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent publication of two studies that demonstrate the value of IDgenetix® pharmacogenetic testing. The first study, published January 19, 2016 in the online journal Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine1, demonstrated that savings in health care costs for patients in a long-term care setting taking five or more medications (polypharmacy) can be achieved by incorporating pharmacogenetic information into their medication management. Specifically, the authors found that half of the study group had an actionable finding, and an overall cost benefit was recognized by utilizing IDgenetix® testing. "These latest publications emphasize the relevance of pharmacogenetics in the U.S. population and highlight the opportunity for significant healthcare savings provided by our proprietary genetic-based medication management tool, IDgenetix," said Juan-Sebastian Saldivar, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at AltheaDx. The second study, published in January, 2016 in Pharmacogenetics and Genomics2, analyzed more than 30,000 IDgenetix® patient samples in the IDgenetix® database, in order to determine the copy number distribution of the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene. CYP2D6 is mentioned in the labeling of many FDA-approved drugs, 40 of which characterize issues related to safety and/or efficacy in patients having an atypical metabolizer status. The clinical importance of CYP2D6 is underscored by the fact that it is mentioned in three separate professional guidelines related to commonly-prescribed drugs, such as codeine, tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Typical individuals carry two copies f any one gene, one copy from their mother and one from their father. CYP2D6 is unique in that an individual can possess one, two, or three or more copies of the gene - or none at all. Of particular interest in our study is that the probability of carrying something other than the typical two copies of CYP2D6 is influenced with ethnicity. Specifically, 22% of African Americans were shown to possess more or less than two copies of CYP2D6 as compared to only 11-13% of other ethnicities (p<0.01). Furthermore, approximately 1 in 300 African-Americans possess no copies of the CYP2D6 gene, yet in this study 70% of those individuals were found to be on at least one medication that is metabolized by CYP2D6. "AltheaDx will continue to invest in these and other important clinical outcome studies as part of our efforts to demonstrate the benefits of evidence-based personalized medicine," said Jorge Garces, President of AltheaDx. 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 (News - Alert). 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. ______________________________________ 1 Saldivar JS, Taylor D, Sugarman EA, Cullors A, Garces, JA, Oades, K, Centeno, J. Initial Assessment of the Benefits of Implementing Pharmacogenetics into the Medical Management of Patients in a Long-Term Care Facility: Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine: 2016: 9:1-6. 2 Beoris M, Wilson JA, Garces, JA, Lukowiak, AA. CYP2D6 Copy Number Distribution in the US Population: Pharmacogenetics and Genomics: 2016: 26:96-99
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