“New genetic tests are now available to guide physicians in personalizing each individual patient’s healthcare program,” said Mark Busgang, President and CEO of Warnex. “We are excited to collaborate with deCODE Genetics to offer these advanced genetic risk tests in Canada. These tests will provide Canadian patients and healthcare providers the ability to assess the genetic risk for certain diseases and then make decisions regarding prevention, screening and/or treatment.”
“We are very pleased to be working with Warnex to increase the availability our genetic risks tests to physicians and their patients. The quality and breadth of their services make them an excellent partner,” said Dr. Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE Genetics. “Our test helps to meet the need for improved risk stratification and patient outcomes, and we believe that this alliance will make these benefits more widely available.”
Warnex will offer the following DNA-based risk assessment tests:
deCODE ProstateCancer(TM) – Assesses the risk of prostate cancer. The test detects 27 genetic variants associated with risk of prostate cancer in males of European descent and which have been shown to have significant impacts on a man’s assessed lifetime risk. For African-Americans and East Asians, the test detects 9 and 12 genetic variants, respectively, that associate with risk of prostate cancer.
deCODE MI(TM) – Assesses the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack). The test detects 8 SNPs in the sequence of the genome associated with risk of heart attack. These include the chromosome 9p21 variants discovered by deCODE, the highest impact and best validated genetic risk factors for heart attack yet found. The test provides a novel means of detecting the substantial genetic component to overall susceptibility to heart attack, risk that appears to be independent of well known risk factors such as elevated cholesterol and hypertension.
deCODE AF(TM) – Assesses the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). In-patient post-stroke cardiac monitoring misses a large proportion of intermittent AF. This test enables physicians to target and personalize the use of ambulatory cardiac monitoring and optimize stroke prevention in those found to have AF.
deCODE Clopidogrel(TM) – Identifies patients who may need adjustment of their Clopidogrel dose or who should be put on an alternative medication to prevent recurrent adverse cardiovascular events. The test analyzes 5 SNPs in the CYP2C19 gene that affect response to the anti-platelet drug Clopidogrel.
deCODE BreastCancer(TM) – Detects 16 genetic risk factors for the common forms of breast cancer. The common forms of the disease account for approximately 95% of all breast cancers. These markers have been discovered and validated in case-control studies in multiple populations, involving tens of thousands of breast cancer patients and hundreds of thousands of controls.
deCODE T2(TM) – Assesses the risk of type 2 diabetes independent of family history and obesity. The test detects DNA markers that have been widely replicated as risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The deCODE TCF7L2 marker is the strongest genetic risk factor discovered so far for type 2 diabetes and has been validated in over 40 populations and multiple continental ancestries.
deCODE Glaucoma(TM) – Assesses the risk of exfoliation glaucoma. The test detects two SNP markers associated with increased risk of exfoliation glaucoma. They are located in a gene called LOXL1, and about 10-30% of all primary open angle glaucoma patients have the at-risk versions of these SNPs in the LOXL1 gene.
deCODE Cancer – DNA-based test panel that measures risk for 7 common cancers: colon, lung, bladder, thyroid and basal cell carcinoma, as well as breast and ovarian cancer in women and prostate and testicular cancer in men.
deCODE Cardiovascular – Assesses the risk of 6 cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, type 2 diabetes, atrial fibrillation, abdominal aortic aneurysm, intracranial aneurysm and venous thromboembolism, as well as clopidogrel responsiveness.
deCODE Complete – Analyzes risk factors for more than 45 common diseases and traits, including all of the aforementioned individual tests. This scan focuses on medical conditions that can either be prevented through altered lifestyle or have better treatment outcomes if detected early. It is the most comprehensive genetic scan available for evaluating risk of common diseases.
About deCODE Genetics
Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE genetics is a global leader in analyzing and understanding the human genome. Using its unique expertise and population resources, deCODE has discovered genetic risk factors for dozens of common diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer.
In order to most rapidly realize the value of genetics for human health, deCODE is currently partnering with life sciences companies to accelerate their target discovery, validation, and prioritization efforts, yielding improved patient stratification for clinical trials and essential companion diagnostics. In addition, through its CLIA- and CAP-certified laboratory, deCODE offers DNA-based tests for gauging risk and empowering prevention of common diseases. deCODE also licenses its tests, intellectual property, and analytical tools to partner organizations. deCODE’s corporate information can be found at decode.com with information about our genetic testing services at decodehealth.com and decodeme.com.
About Warnex
Warnex (warnex.ca) is a life sciences company devoted to protecting public health by providing laboratory services to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Warnex Analytical Services provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a variety of quality control services, including chemistry, chromatography, microbiology, method development and validation, and stability studies. Warnex Bioanalytical Services specializes in bioequivalence and bioavailability studies for clinical trials. Warnex Medical Laboratories provides specialized testing for the healthcare industry as well as pharmaceutical and central laboratory services. Warnex PRO-DNA Services offers DNA identification tests for paternity, maternity and other family relationships, as well as for immigration and forensic testing purposes. Warnex has three facilities located in Laval and Blainville, Quebec, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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