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(Alliance News) - Genedrive PLC on Tuesday said its genetic test aimed at preventing antibiotic induced hearing loss was highly accurate in a cohort of 303 samples.
Shares in molecular diagnostics firm Genedrive were up 13% at 24.40 pence in London in morning trading.
The test is intended to identify individuals with a genetic mutation which can lead to deafness in babies if they are given the common antibiotic gentamicin. It uses a single-use disposable cartridge and produces a result in around 30 minutes, so a decision as to whether to prescribe the antibiotic can be made relatively quickly.
The Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID kit had diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% in 303 samples. Specificity is the ability to identify a positive result and sensitivity is the ability to recognise a negative result.
Furthermore, the test was unaffected by common substances and bacteria likely to be found in patients, which is encouraging as Genedrive assays are performed using "relatively crude patient samples".
Genedrive Chief Executive David Budd said: "We are extremely pleased with the performance of the test and very excited about the impact the test could have in emergency settings. The next step will be to undertake our implementation study in Manchester and Liverpool hospitals, where the goal is not only to replicate the analytical performance outcomes, but also to ensure the test can be implemented in an NHS environment. By doing so we aim to maximise uptake at admission and ensure test results can be obtained quickly and acted upon in the relevant clinical time window. At the same time, we are looking to establish commercial opportunities across targeted areas of the EU under our CE marking."
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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