MADISON, N.J., Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest
Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic
information services, today announced the availability of a new
lab-developed genetic test to aid the delivery of personalized
opioid pain-relieving treatment. It is believed to be the first
clinical lab to offer testing for variants in all cytochrome P450
(CYP450) genes known to influence the
CYP450 enzyme system, which affects
metabolism of opioids and other medications.
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The test is based in part on gene variants owned by
Transgenomic, Inc. (OTCBB: TBIO) through a non-exclusive licensing
agreement between the two companies. Quest Diagnostics developed,
validated and now offers the test service through its advanced
Nichols Institute facility in San Juan
Capistrano, Calif. Additional terms were not disclosed.
More than 100 million Americans in the
United States suffer from chronic pain. Opioids, which
include oxycodone and methadone, are widely used in the management
of moderate to severe pain. While opioids are the most widely
prescribed class of medications in the
United States, they are also implicated in high rates of
drug addiction and overdose.
Research demonstrates that genetic testing to identify gene
variants that mediate the CYP450
enzyme system can help physicians predict the rate of opioid drug
metabolism. With this information, physicians can decide to adjust
doses or administer other therapies in order to improve the
prospect for effective pain relief and reduce the likelihood of
drug toxicity, drug interactions and other adverse outcomes.
"Genetic testing to personalize the use of pain-alleviating drug
therapies is an exciting new clinical field with tremendous
potential to promote favorable outcomes for the many millions of
individuals struggling with pain," said Charles (Buck) Strom, MD, PhD, senior medical
director, Genetics, Quest Diagnostics. "Opioids can be very
effective pain-alleviating medications, but they are also powerful
and potentially dangerous drugs carrying a high risk of addiction,
toxicity and other adverse effects. The inclusion of Transgenomic's
gene discoveries into our genetic testing services will provide
physicians with greater insights for safely and effectively
administering opioid treatment."
"The vast majority of differences in liver enzyme activity are
due to genetic variation between individuals, differences that can
cause a drug or metabolite to leave the body too rapidly or remain
in the body too long," said Craig
Tuttle, chief executive officer of Transgenomic.
"Quest Diagnostics' strong record of innovation in genetic testing
and relationships with physicians makes them well suited to
maximize the value of our gene discoveries as new clinical tests
for advancing the field of pain management."
Quest Diagnostics is a leader in clinical and workplace drug
toxicology test services. The company's services aid the clinical
management of patients prescribed opioids, narcotics and other
medications as well as employer screening for workplace drug
misuse. The company also produces original research on prescription
drug trends as part of its series of Quest Diagnostics Health
Trends reports, which provide insights into critical health issues
based on the company's national testing data. For more visit
www.QuestDiagnostics.com/HealthTrends.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics
is the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services
that patients and doctors need to make better healthcare decisions.
The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic information
services through its network of laboratories and patient service
centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its
extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a
pioneer in developing innovative diagnostic tests and advanced
healthcare information technology solutions that help improve
patient care. Additional company information is available at
QuestDiagnostics.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/QuestDiagnostics
and Twitter.com/QuestDX.
Quest, Quest Diagnostics, and all associated Quest Diagnostics
registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest
Diagnostics. All third-party marks are the property of their
respective owners.
About Transgenomic, Inc.
Transgenomic, Inc.
(www.transgenomic.com) is a global biotechnology company advancing
personalized medicine in cardiology, oncology, and inherited
diseases through its proprietary molecular technologies and
world-class clinical and research services. The Company is a
global leader in cardiac genetic testing with a family of
innovative products, including its C-GAAP test, designed to detect
gene mutations which indicate cardiac disorders, or which can lead
to serious adverse events. Transgenomic has three
complementary business divisions: Transgenomic Clinical
Laboratories, which specializes in molecular diagnostics for
cardiology, oncology, neurology and mitochondrial disorders;
Transgenomic Pharmacogenomic Services, a contract research
laboratory that specializes in supporting all phases of
pre-clinical and clinical trials for oncology drugs in development;
and Transgenomic Diagnostic Tools, which produces equipment,
reagents and other consumables that empower clinical and research
applications in molecular testing and cytogenetics.
Transgenomic believes there is significant opportunity for
continued growth across all three businesses by leveraging their
synergistic capabilities, technologies and expertise. The
Company actively develops and acquires new technology and other
intellectual property that strengthens its leadership in
personalized medicine.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute
"forward-looking statements" of Transgenomic within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause actual results to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited
to, those with respect to management's current views and estimates
of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company
performance and financial results, including the ability of the
Company to grow its involvement in the diagnostic products and
services markets. The known risks, uncertainties and other factors
affecting these forward-looking statements are described from time
to time in Transgenomic's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Any change in such factors, risks and uncertainties may
cause the actual results, events and performance to differ
materially from those referred to in such statements. Accordingly,
the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to all statements
contained in this press release. All information in this press
release is as of the date of the release and Transgenomic does not
undertake any duty to update this information, including any
forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
Quest Diagnostics Contacts:
Wendy Bost (Media): 973-520-2800
Dan Haemmerle (Investors):
973-520-2900
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
