genedrive plc

("genedrive" or the "Company")

Scotland national roll-out of Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit

genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the point of care pharmacogenetic testing company, is pleased to note the recent media coverage of its Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit, which reduces the risk of deafness in newborn babies and introduced initially by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde ("NHSGGC").

The Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit will start being used for babies requiring antibiotic treatment for infections within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children ("RHC") in Glasgow, with the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Princess Royal Maternity Hospital to follow soon after, as part of a phased rollout to all NHS Scotland Health Boards with neonatal units over the coming months.

Further details are available at:

https://news.stv.tv/scotland/groundbreaking-genetic-test-could-prevent-hearing-loss-in-babies

https://www.nhscfsd.co.uk/news/new-genetic-test-aims-to-prevent-hearing-loss-for-babies-in-scotland/

Dr Gino Miele, CEO of genedrive plc, said: "We are proud that NHS Scotland has begun to implement our interventional rapid genetic test nationally, ensuring over time that it is available to neonates across Scotland who might otherwise be at risk of hearing loss. As outlined in the STV news article above, the potential impact on patients and family's lives is substantial and we look forward to progressing coverage to all NHS Scotland Health boards".

Scottish Health Secretary, Neil Gray, said: "This test will have a life-changing impact on newborn babies in Scotland as we roll it out across the country through our Accelerated National Innovation Adoption pathway, resulting in improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.  This exceptional programme demonstrates the transformative potential of scientific and technological innovation, and our commitment to delivering the ambitions set out in our Programme for Government and the NHS Scotland Operational Improvement Plan."

Dr Helen McDevitt, Consultant Neonatologist with NHSGGC, said: "National roll out of this innovative point of care genetic test will prevent deafness in a significant number of susceptible newborn infants each year in Scotland.  Patient care will be improved immeasurably by enhancing the safety of current antibiotic treatments.  It's exciting that Scotland is at the forefront of developing precision medicine from birth onwards."

Ryan Coppoer, Point of Care Testing Lead in National Services Scotland, said: "This simple and gentle test gives us the ability to protect babies from avoidable harm and hearing loss right from the very start of their lives.  This aims to not only safeguard their quality of life but give their families and loved one's peace of mind.  By identifying those at risk within minutes of birth, we can make safer treatment choices and give every child the best chance to grow, learn and thrive without the challenges that hearing loss can bring."

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About genedrive plc (http://www.genedrive.com)

genedrive plc is a pharmacogenetic testing company developing and commercialising a low cost, rapid, versatile and simple to use point of need pharmacogenetic platform for the diagnosis of genetic variants. This helps clinicians to quickly access key genetic information that will aid them make the right choices over the right medicine or dosage to use for an effective treatment, particularly important in time-critical emergency care healthcare paradigms. Based in the UK, the Company is at the forefront of Point of Care pharmacogenetic testing in emergency healthcare. Pharmacogenetics informs on how your individual genetics impact a medicines ability to work for you. Therefore, by using pharmacogenetics, medicine choices can be personalised, made safer and more effective. The Company has launched its two flagship products, the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit and the Genedrive® CYP2C19 ID Kit, both developed and validated in collaboration with NHS partners and deployed on its point of care thermocycler platform. Both tests are single-use disposable cartridges which are ambient temperature stable, circumventing the requirement for cold chain logistics. The Directors believe the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit is a worlds-first and allows clinicians to make a decision on antibiotic use in neonatal intensive care units within 26 minutes, ensuring vital care is delivered, avoiding adverse effects potentially otherwise encountered and with no negative impact on the patient care pathway. Its CYP2C19 ID Kit which has no comparably positioned competitor currently allows clinicians to make a decision on the use of Clopidogrel in stroke patients in 70 minutes, ensuring that patients who are unlikely to benefit from or suffer adverse effects from Clopidogrel receive an alternative antiplatelet therapeutic in a timely manner, ultimately improving outcomes. Both tests have undergone review by the National Institute for Health and Care Clinical Excellence ("NICE") and have been recommended for use in the UK NHS. The Company has a clear commercial strategy focused on accelerating growth through maximising in-market sales, geographic and portfolio expansion and strategic M&A, and operates out of its facilities in Manchester.