Tm Bioscience Signs Supply Agreement with Pharmacogenetics Diagnostic Laboratory

Tag-It(TM) P450-2D6 Mutation Detection Kit to be Used to Study Drug Metabolism

03-May-2004

Toront. TM Bioscience Corporation, an emerging leader in DNA-based diagnostic testing, announced today that it has entered into a two-year contract with the pharmacogenetics Diagnostic Laboratory (PGx) of the University of Louisville Medical School to supply it with the Tag-It(TM) P450-2D6 Mutation Detection Kit. This kit identifies the presence or absence of important mutations common in patients with atypical drug metabolism, which can lead to adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

ADRs have been cited as one of the leading causes of death in the US[1]. Scientists estimate that P450-2D6-derived enzymes metabolize 20% of currently available prescription drugs. The Tag-It(TM) Mutation Detection Kit for P450- 2D6 provides simultaneous detection of 12 mutations (24 alleles) and two gene rearrangements in a multiplex format. The Tag-It(TM) P450-2D6 kit is a cost effective, high throughput assay that will improve the productivity of the pharmacogenetic lab.

"PGx is one of the leading laboratories for pharmacogenetic testing, and we are pleased that our Tag-It(TM) P450-2D6 test meets the high standards of their scientists and laboratorians," stated Greg Hines, CEO of Tm Bioscience. "This contract further validates the growing market for P450 testing and is in line with Tm's strategy to focus on customers dedicated to bringing P450 testing into the mainstream of laboratory practice."

"Currently, the assessment of drug metabolism mutations is frequently done through laboratory developed tests, which are not particularly accurate and have become increasingly less efficient as the volume of testing continues to rise," explained PGx Lab's Assistant Director, Mark Linder, PhD, DABCC, FACB. "The Tm Bioscience kit accurately detects mutations in the key alleles known to affect drug metabolism, providing both clinicians and physicians with critical information that they will be able to use in developing better tools for patient management."

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