Who will pay to save 10,000 lives a year? A market analysis of personalised medicine.
Lead Participant:
GENEIX
Abstract
Medicine is traditionally one-size-fits all, but the reality is that not everyone responds to
medicines the same. While a drug is effective and well tolerated in one person, for another it
won’t work or they’ll suffer from severe side effects. Doctors have limited ways of predicting
how you will respond, so they use trial-and-error.
In recent years we’ve learnt that these differences in drug response can be due to variations in
our genes (pharmacogenomics (PGx)). Your genes can tell a doctor how you’re are likely to
respond to a medicine – ensuring the best outcomes and preventing side effects, which kill
23,000 people a year in England alone and cost the NHS £1.89bn. Today, in high-risk cases,
doctors may carry out a single genetic test before prescribing. This allows them to check for
interactions between a drug and the related gene. The test takes 2-3 weeks and has to be
repeated with every high-risk drug prescribed. This model is similar to standard tests (i.e.
blood). However, unlike blood, your genes will never change. As our knowledge of PGx
grows, and more drug-gene links are found, the current approach will be un-manageable and
costly but ever more necessary.
Geneix is developing technology to analyse your sequenced genome, once, before you need
treatment - creating a profile for life. Our software will use your profile to determine which
variations you have and link these to drug responses within seconds. Empowering doctors to
check multiple drugs at a time, easily and cheaply - even in low/medium-risk cases. Your
profile will be automatically updated when new interactions are found. We are building our
software with genetic data provided by our clinical partners Guy’s and St. Thomas’ and Great
Ormond Street Hospitals (creating virtual profiles to concept test with no patient risk). The
product is already generating significant commercial and academic interest. We are seeking
TSB support to conduct our market research and help shape our business case.
medicines the same. While a drug is effective and well tolerated in one person, for another it
won’t work or they’ll suffer from severe side effects. Doctors have limited ways of predicting
how you will respond, so they use trial-and-error.
In recent years we’ve learnt that these differences in drug response can be due to variations in
our genes (pharmacogenomics (PGx)). Your genes can tell a doctor how you’re are likely to
respond to a medicine – ensuring the best outcomes and preventing side effects, which kill
23,000 people a year in England alone and cost the NHS £1.89bn. Today, in high-risk cases,
doctors may carry out a single genetic test before prescribing. This allows them to check for
interactions between a drug and the related gene. The test takes 2-3 weeks and has to be
repeated with every high-risk drug prescribed. This model is similar to standard tests (i.e.
blood). However, unlike blood, your genes will never change. As our knowledge of PGx
grows, and more drug-gene links are found, the current approach will be un-manageable and
costly but ever more necessary.
Geneix is developing technology to analyse your sequenced genome, once, before you need
treatment - creating a profile for life. Our software will use your profile to determine which
variations you have and link these to drug responses within seconds. Empowering doctors to
check multiple drugs at a time, easily and cheaply - even in low/medium-risk cases. Your
profile will be automatically updated when new interactions are found. We are building our
software with genetic data provided by our clinical partners Guy’s and St. Thomas’ and Great
Ormond Street Hospitals (creating virtual profiles to concept test with no patient risk). The
product is already generating significant commercial and academic interest. We are seeking
TSB support to conduct our market research and help shape our business case.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| GENEIX | £47,000 | £ 25,000 |
People |
ORCID iD |