DNAPrint launches 'ethnicity' test.
intracontinental subpopulation (ethnic) admixture of individuals
could lead to the development of more specific, better-tolerated
and more effective drugs in the future.
Specifically developed for the drug development process, DNAPrint genomics has launched the Euro-DNA 1.0, a service that has never before been developed or provided with the specific intention of targeting thereceptive population for a given drug, using objective, verifiable,repeatable, quantifiable measurements rather than questionnaire answers such as for 'race'.
The new test is powered by 309 proprietary Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) distributed across all 23 human chromosomes. The AIMs were identified from a screen of approximately 12,000 candidate AIMs obtained from DNA chips and public genome database resources.
Tony Frudakis, Head of Research at DNAPrint Genomics told DrugResearcher.com: "Right now we sell to the general lay public based on a motivation to educate."
"However we reserve the application of the technology for drug development to our in-house R&D and for select partners as the opportunity arises."
Previously, the only genetic tests capable of tracing ethnic ancestry were Y-chromosome and mtDNA tests. Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests only look at a specific portion of a person's DNA heritage - the Y- chromosome, which is inherited paternally and the mtDNA, which is inherited maternally.
Because Y and mtDNA tests each look at only 1 of the 23 chromosomes, they ignore contribution from most of the individuals in a given family tree and for this reason, Y and mtDNA tests are not useful for the analysis of admixture within individuals. Euro-DNA 1.0 is the first test ever developed and commercialised capable of distinguishing ethnicity from each persons DNA.
Frudakis said: "One product that is comparable on the market is Y-chromosome and mtDNA testing, which look at only one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each person's genome. Thus, they are useless for determining ancestry mix and the drug development process."
The concept of tailoring drug discovery and development, even drug programmes, according to ethnic make-up is seen as the next step in producing the next generation of increasingly effective drugs. Until the specific response pathway for each drug becomes possible and economically viable, biogeographical ancestry admixture will be used as a surrogate for predicting response.
"One could conceivably use our AIM technology during Phase I and II to plan Phase III, but also develop a specific (gene variant based, not AIM based) pharmacogenomics test to accompany the drug during Phase III or later," Frudakis added.
The new test is available now for $199 (about €163) for former DNAPrint customers. New customers that are interested in the new service test can purchase the combined test for $399, which will include the AncesterybyDNA 2.5 test and the new Euro-DNA 1.0 test.
