AutoGenomics, Genomas sign agreement to develop DNA-guided diagnostic systems

AutoGenomics, Inc, a leader in automated microarray technology for molecular diagnostics, and Genomas, a biomedical company enabling DNA-guided medicine for personal healthcare, announced today that they have signed an agreement to jointly develop genetic tests and DNA-guided diagnostic systems for optimal selection of statins and for improved delivery of statin therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. This pioneering collaboration will provide clinicians and physicians with newly developed genetic tests and a decision support system which will allow them to manage statins, prescribe and dose these drugs on a DNA-guided, personalized basis to more effectively guide the therapy for each patient.

Statin drugs are the most prescribed medications in the world and are used to reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently more than 71 million American adults (over 20 years of age) with high LDL and it is estimated that over 43 million Americans are currently prescribed the statin class of cholesterol lowering drugs. However, statin LDL-lowering drugs can cause muscle aches, cramps and muscle weakness, and if not controlled, can lead to muscular injury. The newly developed DNA-guided statin diagnostic tests are designed to identify individuals who are genetically susceptible to muscle pain (myalgia) while on these statins and who may develop muscular injury (myopathy) while on high dose statin therapy.

Fareed Kureshy, President and CEO of AutoGenomics said, "Our INFINITI® system in combination with Genomas' SINM PhyzioType® System will provide a reliable, reproducible, cost-effective platform for clinical laboratories to provide results and guidance to physicians to optimize treatment strategies for lipid disorders."

Gualberto Ruano, M.D., Ph.D., President of Genomas and Director of Genetics Research at Hartford Hospital said, "The SINM PhyzioType® System combined with AutoGenomics' INFINITI® multiplexing genetic test platform will enable cardiologists and clinicians to manage the variable lipid-altering efficacy and the risk of neuromuscular side effects that are prevalent in high-risk patients with heart disease and diabetes."

Paul D. Thompson, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at the Henry Low Heart Center of Hartford Hospital commented: "Growing evidence indicates that genetics determines who develops muscle complaints with statins. The partnership will allow us to pursue the final implementation studies of the multi-gene biomarker system to personalize cardiovascular therapy."