Warfarin Sensitivity Test, New Diagnostics Platform Launched
Osmetech plc. received marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for the company’s new test to diagnose patients with a sensitivity to warfarin therapy. The company is also launching a new diagnostics system, the eSensor XT-8 molecular diagnostics platform.
The eSensor Warfarin Sensitivity test was designed to identify those patients who have a sensitivity to treatment with warfarin therapy. It assesses patients for the presence of three different genes that are associated with sensitivity to and metabolism of warfarin.
Data indicates that warfarin is the second leading drug therapy associated with adverse events. This drug is used as a blood thinning agent, to either treat or prevent blood clots. More than 2 million patients are newly treated with this therapy in the U.S. annually.
A previous report from the Brookings Institute indicates that application of tests to identify those patients with a sensitivity to this treatment could reduce the incidence of 17,000 strokes and 85,000 cases of serious bleeding. Moreover, over $1.1 billion in healthcare costs could be avoided.
The company simultaneously announced the launch of a new diagnostics platform. This system is designed to minimize the amount of hands on time required by technicians in the laboratory.
July 23, 2008 Related topics: Product Approval & Certification, Laboratory Equipment, Diagnostic, Surgery, Cardiology