Clinical Data launches genetic test for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

24 November 2008

PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA), has launched a new genetic test for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inherited and often fatal heart condition.

Clinical Data also announced plans to make its databases of genetic mutations associated with inherited cardiac conditions, such as ARVC, available to the public.

“The launch of our FAMILION ARVC test illustrates the Company’s ongoing commitment to extend our leadership position in cardiovascular genetics by making additional tests more broadly available to clinicians, patients and their family members,” said Drew Fromkin, President and CEO of Clinical Data.

“We are also reiterating our commitment to the clinical and research communities and advocacy groups by releasing our cardiac genetic databases to the public in support of efforts to more fully understand the genetic basis of these complex diseases.”

In 2006, Joint Guidelines released by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology support the utilisation of genetic testing for patients and their family members suspected of carrying mutations causative of ARVC. The FAMILION ARVC Test is a complex genetic test that sequences the five genes most commonly associated with ARVC.

“Because over 40% of ARVC patients suffer sudden cardiac death as their first known manifestation of disease, making an early and accurate diagnosis is critical to saving lives,” said Jeffrey Towbin, MD, Professor, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the world’s thought leaders on ARVC. “Comprehensive genetic screening that includes all five ARVC causing genes is a critical tool in the diagnosis and management of ARVC.”

In addition, PGxHealth intends to publish its FAMILION databases beginning in the spring of 2009, as part of a large-scale database project for inherited cardiac conditions. Initially, the publicly accessible data will include information related to long QT syndrome (LQTS) and Brugada syndrome (BrS), two inherited channelopathies.

“The publication of this large collection of genetic data from approximately 2,500 LQTS and 200 BrS patients, and corresponding data from a healthy reference population of almost 700 volunteers, will be an unprecedented resource for the cardiac research and clinical communities,” said Carol R. Reed, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Data.

“This data release is being carefully assembled in collaboration with multiple academic thought leaders from around the world and will be made available in an anonymous, publicly accessible database, which will be regularly updated with new data from our testing.”

About ARVC

The exact prevalence of ARVC is not known; estimates range from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 1,250 people.1,2 ARVC is an inherited progressive heart disease with patients most commonly presenting in the second or third decade of life. Symptoms associated with ARVC include syncope (fainting), heart palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. While there is no cure for ARVC, once diagnosed and treated, patients have an excellent prognosis. Treatment of confirmed ARVC usually includes implanting a cardioverter defibrillator.

The FAMILION ARVC Test will help clinicians interpret borderline clinical findings, confirm the clinical suspicion of ARVC, make presymptomatic diagnoses, identify silent carriers and enable informed genetic counseling.

The FAMILION ARVC Test sequences 5 genes (PKP2, DSP, DSG2, DSC2 and TMEM43) and is performed in a CLIA-certified commercial laboratory that meets all applicable state and federal guidelines.

About FAMILION

The FAMILION tests detect genetic mutations that can cause cardiac channelopathies, such as Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), Brugada Syndrome (BrS) and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), or cardiomyopathies such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in individuals and their families.

By detecting genetic mutations, the FAMILION tests can be used to recognize inherited forms of these syndromes, helping to guide treatment and reduce the incidence of deadly cardiac events associated with them.

When a cardiac channelopathy or cardiomyopathy has been diagnosed, the test can help doctors and patients make more informed treatment decisions and aid in uncovering other family members that may be at risk, even if asymptomatic.

For more information about the FAMILION family of genetic tests, visit www.pgxhealth.com/genetictests/familion

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Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Clinical Data launches genetic test for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy 24 November 2008 PGxHealth, a division of Clinical Data, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDA), has launched a new genetic test for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inherited and often fatal heart condition. Clinical Data also announced plans to make its databases of genetic mutations associated with inherited cardiac conditions, such as ARVC, available to the public. “The launch of our FAMILION ARVC test illustrates the Company’s ongoing commitment to extend our leadership position in cardiovascular genetics by making additional tests more broadly available to clinicians, patients and their family members,” said Drew Fromkin, President and CEO of Clinical Data. “We are also reiterating our commitment to the clinical and research communities and advocacy groups by releasing our cardiac genetic databases to the public in support of efforts to more fully understand the genetic basis of these complex diseases.” In 2006, Joint Guidelines released by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology support the utilisation of genetic testing for patients and their family members suspected of carrying mutations causative of ARVC. The FAMILION ARVC Test is a complex genetic test that sequences the five genes most commonly associated with ARVC. “Because over 40% of ARVC patients suffer sudden cardiac death as their first known manifestation of disease, making an early and accurate diagnosis is critical to saving lives,” said Jeffrey Towbin, MD, Professor, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the world’s thought leaders on ARVC. “Comprehensive genetic screening that includes all five ARVC causing genes is a critical tool in the diagnosis and management of ARVC.” In addition, PGxHealth intends to publish its FAMILION databases beginning in the spring of 2009, as part of a large-scale database project for inherited cardiac conditions. Initially, the publicly accessible data will include information related to long QT syndrome (LQTS) and Brugada syndrome (BrS), two inherited channelopathies. “The publication of this large collection of genetic data from approximately 2,500 LQTS and 200 BrS patients, and corresponding data from a healthy reference population of almost 700 volunteers, will be an unprecedented resource for the cardiac research and clinical communities,” said Carol R. Reed, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Clinical Data. “This data release is being carefully assembled in collaboration with multiple academic thought leaders from around the world and will be made available in an anonymous, publicly accessible database, which will be regularly updated with new data from our testing.” About ARVC The exact prevalence of ARVC is not known; estimates range from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 1,250 people.1,2 ARVC is an inherited progressive heart disease with patients most commonly presenting in the second or third decade of life. Symptoms associated with ARVC include syncope (fainting), heart palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. While there is no cure for ARVC, once diagnosed and treated, patients have an excellent prognosis. Treatment of confirmed ARVC usually includes implanting a cardioverter defibrillator. The FAMILION ARVC Test will help clinicians interpret borderline clinical findings, confirm the clinical suspicion of ARVC, make presymptomatic diagnoses, identify silent carriers and enable informed genetic counseling. The FAMILION ARVC Test sequences 5 genes (PKP2, DSP, DSG2, DSC2 and TMEM43) and is performed in a CLIA-certified commercial laboratory that meets all applicable state and federal guidelines. About FAMILION The FAMILION tests detect genetic mutations that can cause cardiac channelopathies, such as Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), Brugada Syndrome (BrS) and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), or cardiomyopathies such as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in individuals and their families. By detecting genetic mutations, the FAMILION tests can be used to recognize inherited forms of these syndromes, helping to guide treatment and reduce the incidence of deadly cardiac events associated with them. When a cardiac channelopathy or cardiomyopathy has been diagnosed, the test can help doctors and patients make more informed treatment decisions and aid in uncovering other family members that may be at risk, even if asymptomatic. For more information about the FAMILION family of genetic tests, visit www.pgxhealth.com/genetictests/familion Bookmark this page Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. To top	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.