AssureRx Adds Fifth Gene to Pharmacogenetic Profile to Guide Psychiatric Drug Prescribing

CINCINNATI, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- AssureRx Health, Inc., a personalized medicine company focused on pharmacogenetics to aid in the treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders, today announced that it has added a fifth gene, CYP1A2, to its laboratory-developed pharmacogenetic test. GeneSightRx® measures and analyzes more than forty clinically important genetic variants that affect patients' response to medications prescribed in psychiatric medicine. The CYP1A2 gene is involved in the metabolism of a number of commonly used drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics.

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The updated 5-gene test, a web-based therapeutic decision support product, analyzes genetic variants which may affect a patient's ability to tolerate or respond to psychotropic medications. GeneSightRx integrates the analysis of genes and their many variations to obtain an evidence-based pharmacogenetic profile. The gene variations are further analyzed against 26 FDA-approved drugs to help physicians select patient-appropriate psychotropic medications. In addition to the CYP1A2 gene, GeneSightRx includes the CYP2D6 gene, the CYP2C19 gene, the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 and the serotonin 2A receptor gene 5HTR2A.  

"Enhancing our pharmacogenetic test by adding the CYP1A2 gene is an important part of our strategy of serving the behavioral health community with therapeutic decision-support products," said James S. Burns, President and CEO of AssureRx Health. "GeneSightRx now provides physicians with even more information about their patients' unique genetic fingerprint, allowing them to make more informed medication choices for each individual patient. Our goal is to provide treatment-oriented support that helps prevent needless side effects and delays in achieving response."

Al Lucas, Vice President Sales and Marketing at AssureRx Health said, "Variations of the CYP1A2 gene can affect several commonly used psychiatric medications. By adding this gene to GeneSightRx, we are able to further differentiate the AssureRx technology from routine genotyping tests. Psychiatrists can benefit from having a more defined picture of how key medications can be affected by this variance before making decisions on how to treat a patient."

About GeneSightRx

GeneSightRx is a laboratory developed genetic test that uses cutting edge technology to measure and analyze clinically important genetic variants in psychiatric medicine. The results of the report can help a doctor understand the way a patient's unique genetic makeup may affect certain psychiatric drugs. The analysis is based on pharmacogenetics, the study of the genetic factors that influence an individual's response to drug treatments, the FDA approved manufacturer's drug label, and scientifically valid published reports and/or proven pharmacology. Quick turnaround time, combined with a customized report of the patient's genetic makeup, clinical experience, and other factors can help a physician make personalized drug treatment choices for each individual patient. To learn more about pharmacogenetics and GeneSightRx, please click here (http://www.assurerxhealth.com/patient_information) . Be sure to watch the educational video.

About AssureRx Health

Cincinnati-based AssureRx Health, Inc. is a personalized medicine company that specializes in pharmacogenetics and is dedicated to helping physicians determine the right drug at the right dose for individual patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. The company was founded in June 2006 to commercialize industry-leading personalized medicine technology. Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Mayo Clinic are equity holders and technology collaborators.

SOURCE AssureRx Health, Inc.