Exclusive Agreement for Genetic Testing and Research Announced Between Dominion Diagnostics and LifeGen, Inc.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I., Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Diagnostics has entered into an exclusive agreement with LifeGen, Inc. for the licensing rights to patented genetic testing.  Currently the two companies are involved in a research study aimed at validating the testing against the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) designed and marketed by Inflexxion, Inc.  The research results are on track to be released in the first quarter of 2013, and are expected to show that LifeGen's test is valuable in determining a patient's Genetic Addiction Risk Score (GARS), or relative predisposition in manifesting addictive behaviors.  Approximately 400 patient subjects selected from addiction treatment facilities across the country are involved in the GARS analysis.

The GARS analysis is set to investigate a panel of genes primarily involved in brain reward circuitry.  For 30% of the human population (approximately 100 million people), genetics are a large factor in dopamine-driven addiction.  This subset of the population carries the DRD2 Type A1 receptor gene which induces low dopamine brain function that results in the propensity for addictive cravings.  The GARS test involves a number of reward genes and related polymorphisms which have significant impact on substance use disorders.

LifeGen's Kenneth Blum, PhD is the primary investigator on the companies' current research.  Blum is credited with the first known association of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene with alcoholism and other addictive behaviors including drug addiction, smoking, overeating, gambling, and sex (Blum & Noble, JAMA, 1990).

"I am confident that the results from our mutual research will provide clinical evidence associating the GARS test with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI)," Dr. Blum said.  "The GARS analysis will ultimately be an important front line 'window' into the brain of millions – enabling the clinician with genetic information and taking out the guess work to identify those at risk for all addictive behaviors."  

In the last decade, genetic variants in the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system have been identified and pharmacogenetic testing has been developed that can distinguish differences in a patient's ability to metabolize drugs. Although most insurers do not currently cover the cost of testing, Dominion has determined that there is a critical need to classify patients at genetic risk for drug seeking behavior or addiction prior to treatment.  The risk severity associated with a predisposition to addiction, due to polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene rather than genes in the CYP450 system may have greater clinical relevance to today's epidemic level of drug abuse and misuse.

Dominion Diagnostics and LifeGen, Inc. are confident that their GARS analysis results will provide valuable information in a multitude of medical specialties, including but not limited to addiction treatment, pain management, primary care, family medicine, and adolescent treatment.

About Dominion Diagnostics

Dominion Diagnostics is a leading national monitoring company that offers comprehensive medication and substance use monitoring services and a full suite of clinical support solutions. Since 1997, Dominion Diagnostics has provided services to thousands of clients representing a diversity of medical specialties across the United States, including addiction medicine, behavioral health, pain medicine, primary care, psychiatry, and hospital systems. Dominion Diagnostics is supported by a world-class team that shares a commitment to clinical excellence, compliance, and integrity. For more information, please visit www.dominiondiagnostics.com.

About LifeGen, Inc.

LifeGen, Inc. (LG) is a vertically integrated nutrigenomic technology company with offices in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Austin Texas, and San Diego California. LG is the first "nutrition gene therapy" company utilizing "polygenic targeting" as a platform technology for personalized medicine. LG is the only known company holding patents from the USA and Europe that couples DNA testing with a customized nutrigenomic solution.  LG is the pioneer, leader, and gold standard of DNA-directed precision nutrition, especially in the realm of neuroendocrine science. With over 100 years of team research experience conducted on the genetic and nutritional causes of many common healthcare concerns, LG provides non-prescription nutrigenomic health solutions to people based on DNA targets that optimize gene expression. For more information, please visit www.rewarddeficiencysyndrome.com. 

Media Contact:
Julie K. Lenahan, MBA
Director of Marketing, Dominion Diagnostics
(401) 667-0876, [email protected]

SOURCE Dominion Diagnostics, LLC