Since genomic analysis first emerged as a possibility in the 1990s, it has been recognised that polymorphisms, small gene variations within a population, can be critical in determining how effective a particular drug is for a particular patient.
This has lead many drug firms and contract clinical services providers to make greater use of genetic screening when recruiting for clinical trials.
A common genomic technique to have emerged is drug metabolizing enzyme and transporter (DMET) analysis, which is used to identify a subjects’ likely response to a drug candidate based on the type and number of each of the two molecules that he or she produces.
Many drug developers use DMET as part of wider absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) analysis to identify patients who are most likely to derive benefits from a developmental treatments.
The new screening service, which is based around Affymetirix’ popular DMET Plus Premier Pack microarray and was developed in collaboration with both Affymetrix and Eli Lilly, can analyze up to 1,936 drug metabolism markers across 225 genes simultaneously.
Cogenics said that the its analysis panel features markers for all Food and Drug Administration (FDA) validated DMET genes and covers more than 90 percent of the current ADME Core Markers as defined by the PharmaADME group.
In a press statement, the Cogenics’ general manager Susan Evans said that the new service “will provide clients with superior genotyping data in a cost-efficient manner.”
Kevin King, Affymetirx’ CEO, was also upbeat about the new service, explaining that drug developers “will be able to identify the high-quality biomarkers that will enable them to ask broader questions and make better go-no-go clinical trial decisions.”