Diamond Healthcare Corporation Begins National Roll-out of AssureRx GeneSightRx® Pharmacogenetic Test in Behavioral Health Units

RICHMOND, Va. and CINCINNATI, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Diamond Healthcare Corporation and AssureRx Health, Inc. today announced that Diamond has initiated the roll-out of AssureRx Health's GeneSightRx pharmacogenetic test in 10 of its nationwide behavioral health units with broader adoption in its 30-state network scheduled through 2011.

The initial launch involves physicians' use of the GeneSightRx lab-developed test to support the treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders. From a simple cheek swab, the GeneSightRx technology measures and analyzes clinically-important genetic variants that determine how patients' unique genetic make-up affects their ability to tolerate or effectively respond to psychotropic medications. Patient-specific genetic information obtained through GeneSightRx can assist physicians in the process of selecting appropriate antidepressant and antipsychotic medications for individual psychiatric patients.

"GeneSightRx will revolutionize the practice of psychiatry and change the way physicians in our network approach the prescribing of psychiatric medications," said George K. White, president and CEO of Diamond Healthcare Corp. "We plan to offer this state-of-the-art technology to an increasing number of hospitals in our network and differentiate our behavioral health units in the marketplace by improving patient outcomes, while decreasing the cost of patient care."

James S. Burns, president and CEO of AssureRx, added, "The use of GeneSightRx by hospitals and patient clinics in Diamond's network will allow an increasing number of physicians to take advantage of the detailed information from our genetic test in selecting appropriate psychotropic medications for individual psychiatric patients. With its extensive network of hospitals and psychiatrists, Diamond is the right partner for AssureRx to expand the use and knowledge of our personalized medicine product."

Richard L. Shrum, Diamond Healthcare's Executive Vice President, Operations, said, "Getting our patients on the right medications early in their treatment will help us deliver better care at lower costs. We have already implemented GeneSightRx in a number of our sites and expect to accelerate adoption of psychiatric pharmacogenetics in the coming months."

About Diamond Healthcare Corp.

Diamond Healthcare Corporation is the national leader in the planning, development and operation of high quality Behavioral Health Services in partnership with healthcare organizations. Diamond's client relationships span a diverse geographic and demographic range — from rural critical access hospitals to urban academic medical centers, from sole community hospitals to multi-hospital health systems, including faith-based healthcare organizations, not-for-profit systems and for-profit hospital companies.

About GeneSightRx®

GeneSightRx is a laboratory developed genetic test that uses leading edge technology to measure and analyze clinically important genetic variants in psychiatric medicine. The test results 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, FDA approved manufacturers' drug labels, peer-reviewed scientific publications, and 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. Be sure to watch the educational video.

About AssureRx Health Inc.

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 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.