AMPEL rolls out genetic test to predict heart disease in lupus patients

AMPEL BioSolutions has unveiled a new genetic precision medicine test that can predict heart disease at an early stage in women with lupus.

The new CardioGene lab test also provides decision support for prophylactic therapies. 

It uses blood samples to identify inherited genetic markers that drive pathways with the capacity to be targeted by drugs that can prevent cardiovascular issues.

The company stated that for the last few years, the new blood test was only a concept but now it will be able to serve as a decision-support biomarker test.

According to Ampel BioSolutions, the new technique of connecting genetic predisposition to molecular pathways that are targeted by drugs could help healthcare providers identify the cardiovascular disease risk in individuals diagnosed with lupus and then choose suitable preventative therapies.

AMPEL BioSolutions co-founder, president and chief scientific officer Amrie Grammer said: “CardioGENE marks a diversification of AMPEL’s portfolio into genetic testing, and we are extremely excited to share our results.

“We are confident that CardioGENE will make a difference in the lives of lupus patients, especially young women, who disproportionately suffer from the disease’s cardiovascular impacts.”

The company stated that the new CardioGENE lab test marks its expansion into genetic testing as a second platform technology along with its existing work in RNA analytics and machine learning.

Funded by a US Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Award, the test emerged from AMPEL BioSolutions’ partnership with Wake Forest.

AMPEL BioSolutions co-founder, CEO and chief medical officer Peter Lipsky said: “This research not only contributes to our understanding of the genetic basis of the increased frequency of cardiovascular events in patients living with lupus, but also provides practical information on new molecular pathways contributing to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

“We believe this work will usher in new approaches to ameliorate one of the leading causes of death in lupus patients.”

Original Article: (https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/ampel-genetic-test-heart-disease/)