New Asthma Test
November 06, 2007
Consumer Genetics, Inc of Sunnyvale is pleased to announce the release of a new product, the b16AsthmaGEN™ test. This product aids asthmatics and their physicians in predicting how patients will respond to long-term use of medications known as beta agonists, commonly found in inhalers for treatment of acute asthma symptoms. The b16AsthmaGEN™ test, marketed directly to consumers, will aid in individualizing asthma therapy based on patients’ genes, thereby avoiding the time-consuming and often frustrating trial-and-error process of finding the optimum medication.
“We at Consumer Genetics are excited to offer this affordable, noninvasive, convenient genetic test. This will provide an important tool to physicians and their patients in the effective control of asthma symptoms,” states Dr. Chinh Bach, founder and CEO of Consumer Genetics. “This test fulfills a need in the medical community generated by numerous studies, including the BARGE study of albuterol, showing the effects of genes on successful medication. ”
Various studies, including the Beta Adrenergic Receptor by Genotype (BARGE) trial, have shown how an asthmatic’s genes determine how the patient will respond to medications containing beta agonists, commonly prescribed for relief of acute asthma symptoms, or “attacks.” When a mist containing albuterol or powder containing salmeterol is inhaled, the medication binds to the beta2-adrenergic receptors located in airways, relaxing smooth muscles and providing symptom relief. Studies have shown that asthmatics with a particular form of the gene for the beta2-adrenergic receptor, called the Arg16 variant, have poorer control of their asthma “attacks” after 16 weeks of daily use of albuterol, despite initially responding well to drug therapy. Long-term ineffectiveness of beta agonists was not seen in asthmatics with the more common Gly16 variant. Discontinuing use of albuterol eventually improved control of asthma “attacks” in patients with the Arg16 form of the gene for the beta2-adrenergic receptor. Thus, using b16AsthmaGEN™ in order to discover whether an asthmatic has the Arg16 or the Gly16 form of the beta2-adrenergic receptor will lead to personalized asthma therapy.
Dr. Bach adds “These are not rare genetic events. Up to 20% of some populations have been shown to carry the Arg16 variant of the beta2-adrenergic receptor.”
Consumer Genetics, Inc., a new innovative biotech company, is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. We provide home-based genetic tests to inform individuals about their health and genetics .
Please contact Preston Baecker, Ph.D,
\n pabaecker@consumergenetics.com
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
at Consumer Genetics for further information [(408) 734-2229].
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Who’s the Daddy?
Local company opens doors for paternity testing.
August 20, 2007 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunnyvale, California, June 14, 2007 – Consumer Genetics, Inc., the maker of Pink or Blue® The Early Gender Test, now offers Paternity and Relationship Testing to consumers. DNA Paternity and Relationship Test results have gained reputation as an invaluable tool in the court of law and at home. In fact, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) states that the volume of Paternity cases has risen significantly and estimates that over a million Paternity Tests were performed in 2004.
DNA Paternity Tests have become prevalent in the court of law for cases such as child support and custody battles, adoption issues, inheritance disputes, social security and welfare cases, to create a record for immigration, and to establish a medical history for the child. The collection of DNA samples for legal purposes must be done by an independent party at a specialized collection site for Chain-of-Custody verification. The Chain-of-Custody ensures that the results are admissible as evidence in a courtroom.
Consumer Genetics, Inc. introduces to the Silicon Valley an all-inclusive genetic test. The company is located in Sunnyvale, California, and functions both as a specialized collection site and retailer of Home and Legal paternity tests. The revolutionary test is easily accessible and is very convenient for the consumers. Most importantly, the testing laboratory is AABB accredited, ISO 17025 certified, and is an approved and authorized testing location by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
“We are excited to provide this service to our community. We know that paternity testing can help many families alleviate stress and even improve relationships," states Dr. Chinh Bach, the CEO of the company. “Raising a child is challenging enough for many parents, but to also question paternity can emotionally and mentally encumber a happy relationship. In fact, many consumers obtain the Home DNA Paternity Test for personal knowledge, to remove all doubts, or satisfy curiosity; but ultimately, confirming paternity fosters peace of mind for all parties involved. The Home DNA Paternity test allows consumers to collect the samples in the privacy and convenience of their own homes and at a lower cost.”
In 2005, 36.8% (1,525,345) of births in the U.S. were attributed to unmarried women according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). In some of these cases, genetic testing was provided as proof to confirm the biological father of the child in court to obtain child support. To the contrary, there are millions of men who are held financially responsible for a child even though they may not be the biological father of that child. Genetic testing has also been presented as proof in court to confirm non-paternity and release that individual from child support responsibilities. Legislation has been passed that requires DNA evidence to confirm paternity to establish or dissolve child support responsibilities.
Consumer Genetics, Inc. provides DNA Paternity test, which are affordable, non-invasive, confidential, and accurate. Furthermore, the tests are run twice in parallel for assurance. The company’s test results have an accuracy rate of greater than 99.9% for inclusions (paternity) and 100% for exclusions (non-paternity). Paternity and Relationship Testing is one of the many products offered by Consumer Genetics.
Additional genetic tests offered locally and internationally by the company include the CaffeineGEN™, WineGEN™, and β16AsthmaGEN™. Consumer Genetics, Inc. is expanding considerably and is in the process of testing and developing additional innovative lifestyle and pharmacogenetic products. These and other future tests are available through our website: www.consumergenetics.com. The company’s mission is to commercialize easy-to-use, direct-to-consumer genetic tests to inform individuals about their health and genetics.
Please contact Cherylle Wilson, BS, MS at Consumer Genetics, Inc. for further information.
Cherylle Wilson, BS, MS
Phone: (408) 734-2229
Toll Free: (866) 694-2878
Fax: (408) 734-2221
cherylle@consumergenetics.com
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