UK Minister highlights pharmacogenetic testing

10 July 2026

genedrive plc

("genedrive" or the "Company")

UK Health Minister highlights NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre's adoption of rapid pharmacogenetic testing for antibiotic-induced hearing loss during Parliamentary Committee

genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the point of care pharmacogenetic testing company, notes comments made on Tuesday 7th July 2026 by the Minister for Health Innovation and Safety, Preet Kaur Gill MP during evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into innovation in the NHS.

The Minister highlighted rapid pharmacogenetic testing for identifying newborn babies at risk of antibiotic-induced hearing loss as a practical example of personalised medicine:

"We know that some babies carry a genetic variant which puts them at a much higher risk of permanent hearing loss if they receive certain antibiotics, for example. The work that the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre did is that we now have a rapid test that can identify that risk before treatment is actually given. That's really, I think, a powerful example of what personalised medicine means in practice."

The test referenced by the Minister is the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit, developed in collaboration with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with research supported by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and The University of Manchester. The CE-IVD approved test is currently being deployed across NHS neonatal intensive care units through the PALOH-UK programme. It has now transitioned to routine clinical use at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, with discussions ongoing to support the transition at further participating hospitals.

A recording of the Committee session is available at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/bdfd2733-07bc-4039-ba88-c62e6fc2c8c2, with the quoted comment starting at 10:20:22.

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About genedrive plc (http://www.genedrive.com).

genedrive plc is a UK-based, commercial-stage pharmacogenetic testing company focused on rapid, point-of-care diagnostic tests to guide safe and effective drug prescription in emergency and acute care settings.

genedrive's proprietary technology platform enables clinicians to prescribe safer and more effective therapies based on a patient's genetic profile, supporting improved outcomes while reducing pressure on healthcare systems, lowering downstream healthcare costs through the prevention of avoidable complications and earlier, more effective intervention

The Company has two CE-IVD approved and NICE-recommended tests in NHS clinical use. The Genedrive® CYP2C19 ID Kit identifies stroke patients who will not respond to the current standard of care, Clopidogrel, used to reduce risk of secondary stroke. The Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit helps prevent antibiotic-induced hearing loss (AIHL) in newborns, enabling treatment decisions within actionable timeframes at the point of care.

Headquartered in Manchester, genedrive is focused on scaling UK-developed precision diagnostics within routine care and leveraging real-world evidence to support broader international adoption and commercial growth.