Screening test to detect autism risk in children may reach markets soon: Transgenomic

Screening test to assess the risk of autism in children may soon be coming to markets.

Transgenomic Inc, molecular diagnostic services company, is planning to launching the new test in the second quarter of 2010.

Transgenomic has licensed on an exclusive U.S. basis intellectual property from IntegraGen SA that will enable the company to develop and commercialize the test.

IntegraGen is a biotechnology company dedicated to gene discovery which allows for the development of molecular diagnostics products and services that provide clinicians with new tools to personalize diagnosis, treatment, and therapy.

The new genetic test is designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Under the agreement.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop and offer a genetic test to clinicians and parents that will assist in the evaluation of children who are thought to be at high risk of being autistic,” stated Craig Tuttle, president and chief executive officer of Transgenomic, in a news release.

The new genetic test in conjunction with standard diagnostic tools will allow for the earlier diagnosis of autism, and more timely initiation of treatment plans for these children, he added.

Autism is a developmental disorder that causes significant social, communication and behavioral
challenges in children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 110 children in the U.S. has an autism-related disorder, and that the incidence of autism is up 57 percent from 2002 to 2006.

Even though parents typically express concerns about their child’s developmental progress before the age of three, the average age of diagnoses is not until 53 months.

Early intervention has been shown to be effective in improving a child’s ability to develop into a competent adult. Children with a sibling who has been diagnosed with autism are at a significantly greater risk of developing the disorder.

IntegraGen’s Genetic Services Business provides state of the art genotyping services to the research community.

Transgenomic, Inc is a global biotechnology company specializing in high sensitivity genetic variation and mutation analysis, providing products and services in DNA mutation detection and discovery for clinical research, clinical molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomics
analyses.

Its product offerings include the Wave Systems and associated consumables specifically designed for use in genetic variation detection and single- and double-strand DNA/RNA analysis and purification.

The Surveyor Mutation Detection Kits and Surveyor Check-It Kit provide reagents and protocols for high sensitivity detection of mutations in DNA.

In addition, Hanabi automated chromosome harvesting systems improve laboratory productivity with consistent quality compared with manual methods for cytogenetic analyses.

Service offerings include the Transgenomic Molecular Laboratory, which provides reference laboratory services specializing in molecular diagnostics including mitochondrial disorders, oncology and hematology, molecular pathology and inherited diseases.

Transgenomic Pharmacogenomics Services is a CRO for pharmacogenomic, translational research and clinical trials.