Clinical Data, Inc. Expands FAMILION(R) Long QT Syndrome Test By Doubling The Number Of Genes

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Genetics;  Heart Disease
Article Date: 15 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA), a biotechnology company developing targeted therapeutics and genetic and pharmacogenomic tests to detect diseases and predict drug safety, tolerability and efficacy, announced at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting that it will double the number of genes in its FAMILION Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) Test. By detecting genetic mutations in individuals and their families, the FAMILION LQTS Test can help guide treatment to prevent possible sudden cardiac death. This newly enhanced LQTS Test follows the 3-gene expansion of the FAMILION Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Test released earlier this year and demonstrates the Company's leadership in genetic testing for inherited cardiac disorders.

"The addition of these five LQTS genes demonstrates our commitment to expand the scope of our tests as the clinical utility of new information is endorsed by the medical community," said Drew Fromkin, President and CEO of Clinical Data. "We are also pleased that the investments we have made in our laboratory operations, physician and patient support services and payor reimbursement function will enable us to offer this enhanced LQTS Test without increasing our price."

Also at the Heart Rhythm meeting, PGxHealth scientists, together with academic collaborators, are presenting three scientific abstracts relating to inherited cardiac conditions. Presentations include:

- Spectrum and Prevalence of Mutations for the First 2500 Consecutive Unrelated LQTS Patients Referred for FAMILION® Long QT Syndrome Genetic Testing. Abstract # PO03-4

- A Worldwide Compendium of Putative Brugada Syndrome Associated Mutations in the SCN5A-Encoded Cardiac Sodium Channel. Abstract # PO06-6

- Case-Control Genetic Comparison of the Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. Abstract # PO02-160

"PGxHealth welcomes the opportunity to join academicians and healthcare providers from around the world again this year at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting, as we continue to disseminate vital information that will advance the understanding of heart disease and further inform treatment decisions," said Carol R. Reed, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Data.

In related news, PGxHealth has filed a patent application with the Unites States Patent and Trademark Office pertaining to 336 new mutations in the Long QT genes. "This patent filing builds upon our existing intellectual property in LQTS testing and is consistent with our commitment to bring new and enhanced tests to physicians and their patients," added Fromkin.

For More Information on the FAMILION family of tests, please contact PGxHealth Customer Service at 877-2-PGxHealth (877-274-9432) or visit http://www.pgxhealth.com.

Source
PGxHealth
Clinical Data, Inc.