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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Company: Kimball Genetics, Inc.
Contact: Michelle Springer
Tel: 303-320-1807
Fax: 303-388-9220
E-mail:
mspringer@kimballgenetics.com
Kimball Genetics, Inc. Launches the Warfarin
Sensitivity DNA Test for Research
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November 14, 2006 -
DENVER, CO – Kimball Genetics, Inc. is pleased
to announce today the launch of its Warfarin
Sensitivity DNA Test for research/investigational
purposes. Warfarin is the most frequently prescribed
oral anticoagulant used for the prevention and
treatment of thromboembolic events. However, it is a
difficult drug to manage due to its narrow
therapeutic range and inconsistent patient response
resulting from inter-individual variability. Genetic
information available from the new pharmacogenomic
test will help predict response. The Warfarin
Sensitivity DNA Test determines the presence of
specific variations in the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes
that confer sensitivity to warfarin and thus
significantly reduce the required maintenance dose.
CYP2C9 is involved in warfarin metabolism and VKORC1
influences warfarin’s anticoagulation effect through
vitamin K. Kimball Genetics expects to offer the
Warfarin Sensitivity DNA Test for routine clinical
use early in 2007.
The FDA Clinical Pharmacology Subcommittee of the
Advisory Committee for Pharmaceutical Sciences has
recommended testing for variations in the CYP2C9 and
VKORC1 in patients requiring warfarin therapy. The
drug label will reflect this recommendation soon.
The Warfarin Sensitivity DNA Test that Kimball
offers informs the prescriber about the presence of
genetic risk factors for overanticoagulation and
should help achieve the correct maintenance dose
faster. It is also likely to increase the safety and
efficacy of warfarin treatment. The DNA test
identifies patients who are sensitive to warfarin
and who therefore: 1) require a lower dose to
achieve a target INR, 2) may be at an increased risk
for bleeding complications, and 3) without the DNA
test, would require a longer period of time to
achieve stable warfarin dosing.
Kimball Genetics welcomes research and clinical
trial collaborations and with academic institutions,
pharmaceutical companies, and other companies
requiring genotype information for studies involving
warfarin. One such project currently underway is
“Pharmacogenetics for Coumadin” with pathologist Dr.
David Feldman of the St Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in
Houston, TX.
“We are excited to be expanding into the
pharmocogenomic arena with the Warfarin Sensitivity
DNA Test”, says Dr. Annette K. Taylor, President and
CEO of Kimball Genetics, Inc. “With our one day
turnaround time we believe we will be able to offer
physicians the quick answers they need regarding
their patients’ sensitivity to warfarin and their
dosing requirements.” Kimball Genetics is committed
to the growing application of pharmacogenomic
testing to mainstream medicine and plans to offer
more tests in 2007 and beyond. “This is the
beginning of a new era of personalized medicine
which will allow individual customization of drug
therapy”, remarks
Dr. Taylor. Kimball Genetics is a member of the
Personalized Medicine Coalition, a non-profit group
of academic and industrial organizations, patient
groups, and healthcare providers dedicated to
advancing the adoption of personalized medicine for
the benefit of patients.
About Kimball Genetics, Inc.
Founded in 1994 by Annette K. Taylor, M.S., Ph.D.,
Kimball Genetics is a national DNA diagnostic
laboratory located in Denver, CO and specializing in
testing for common genetic disorders that are
preventable or can be treated. Known for its
unparalleled turnaround time and distinctive focus
on genetic counseling and education, the company’s
major areas of testing currently include inherited
hypercoagulability, celiac disease, hemochromatosis,
cystic fibrosis, and fragile X syndrome. The
Warfarin Sensitivity DNA Test is Kimball’s first
offering in an exciting new pharmacogenomics
program.
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©2006 Kimball Genetics Inc. (last updated
12/06) |
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