18 Nov 2021 07:00
Yourgene Health plc
("Yourgene" or the "Company")
DPYD screening recommended in Spain
Follows recommendations in Germany, Wales, England and Belgium
Manchester, UK - 18 November 2021: Yourgene (AIM: YGEN), a leading international molecular diagnostics group, welcomes the publication in Clinical and Translational Oncology, titled: 'Consensus of experts from the Spanish Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Society and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology for the genotyping of DPYD in cancer patients who are candidates for treatment with fuoropyrimidines1', which highlights the benefits of using a DPYD genotyping test to help identify cancer patients with Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency prior to treatment with the chemotherapeutic drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).
5-FU is a widely used chemotherapy agent in the treatment of cancers, however for some patients who suffer from DPD deficiency 5-FU administered at normal therapeutic doses can cause severe and sometimes lethal side effects. This review is welcomed by Yourgene as representatives of the Spanish Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Society ('SEFF') and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology ('SEOM'), provided the consensus opinion that: "in the current era of personalized medicine, it is highly recommended to genotype DPYD polymorphisms before administering fuoropyrimidines."
Yourgene launched the Elucigene® DPYD assay, used to detect the four most clinically relevant DPYD mutations, back in September 2019, and has already welcomed the screening recommendations in Germany, Wales, NHS England and Belgium. An estimated two million people globally are treated with fluoropyrimidines (including 5-FU) each year2, with between 10-30% of these patients suffering severe side effects associated with DPD deficiency3. The screening enables clinicians to reduce the risk of increased toxicity from 5-FU exposure in these patients by treatment with a lower dose, or alternate drug therapy where indicated.
Lyn Rees, CEO of Yourgene, commented: "We are thrilled to see DPYD screening recognised once again, this time in Spain by representatives of SEFF and SEOM. We look forward to working closely with our established distribution partner in the region, Diagnostica Longwood, to support DPYD screening across labs in Spain. By looking at how genes impact upon a patient's response to drugs, personalised medicine is at the forefront of our healthcare systems more than ever before, and we are pleased Yourgene is supporting this progression within the oncology market."
References:
1 - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12094-021-02708-4
2 - D. Meulendijks et al./Cancer Treatment Reviews 50 (2016) 23-343 - Cancer Research UK https://bit.ly/2kLn1uT
Yourgene Health plc Lyn Rees, Chief Executive Officer | Tel: +44 (0)161 669 8122 investors@yourgene-health.com | |
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About Yourgene Health
Yourgene Health is an international molecular diagnostics group which develops integrated genomic technologies and services enabling precision medicine. The group works in partnership with global leaders in DNA technology to advance diagnostic science.
Yourgene primarily develops, manufactures, and commercialises simple and accurate molecular diagnostic solutions, for reproductive health, precision medicine and now infectious diseases. The Group's flagship products include non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) for Down's Syndrome and other genetic disorders, Cystic Fibrosis screening tests, invasive rapid aneuploidy tests, and a recent extension into the oncology space with DPYD genotyping.
The launch of Yourgene Genomic Services has enabled Yourgene to offer a global laboratory service network equipped to be a full life-cycle partner for clinical, research and pharmaceutical organisations to support partners at the preclinical, clinical, and post-market stages to develop, manufacture, obtain regulatory approval and commercialise new products and services. In addition, Yourgene Genomic Services offers an NIPT and high throughput COVID testing service.
In August 2020, Yourgene acquired Coastal Genomics, Inc., a sample preparation technology company based in Vancouver, Canada, enabling the Company to extend its offering and IP portfolio in the DNA sample preparation sector. The acquisition increased Yourgene's geographical penetration into the US and Canada, supplementing existing coverage in the UK, Europe, MEA and Asia.
Yourgene Health is headquartered in Manchester, UK with offices in Taipei, Singapore, the US and Canada, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "YGEN". For more information visit www.yourgene-health.com and follow us on twitter @Yourgene_Health.