Acton Biotech launches genetic test for Warfarin

Pune, 7th May, 2010; Acton Biotech launches genetic test to identify the right dose of warfarin to be given to a patient. Large research studies have shown that the unexpected response to warfarin depends on a patient’s variants of the genes. Patients who have mutations in the drug target gene (VKORC1) and drug metabolizing gene (CYP2C9) will need either a much higher dose or a much lower dose as compared to patients who do not have these mutations. This test was approved by USFDA in 2007 and was not available in India so far. Through detection of these genetic markers, doctors are better able to accurately and efficiently determine the appropriate warfarin dosage level and avoid over dosing and under dosing complications.
Background Information
Clotting of blood on external injuries is essential. But blood clot flowing inside a person’s body can have serious consequences as these clots can block an artery can cause a heart attack or block blood flow to brain and cause stroke. Internal blood clots are common in patients who have had a heart attack, heart valve replacement and major surgery. Warfarin is the second most common drug responsible for ICU admission after Insulin.
Standard recommended dose of warfarin is 5 mg per day. Some patients cannot tolerate this dose and suffer from severe internal bleeding that can be life threatening. For these patients, the dose is gradually reduced to 2.5 mg or 1 mg. On the other hand some patients show no response to the drug at 5 mg per day and are at a risk of equally dangerous blood clots. In India, 2 million people take warfarin every year to prevent blood clots, heart attacks and stroke. Warfarin is a difficult drug to use because the optimal dose varies and depends on many risk factors including a patient’s diet, infections and the use of other medications. Close to 15 % population is on both sides of the normal range.
The response to Warfarin is measured in terms of a person’s prothrombin time (PT). PT is a blood test that measures how long it takes blood to clot. The normal range is 0.8–1.2. Patients (especially children) with heart valve replacements need to take warfarin to elevate their PT to 2.5 to 3 so that the value is accepted by the body and clots don’t form around it. These patients need to be on warfarin for the rest of their life.
More about Warfarin Warfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). It reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. Warfarin is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in veins, arteries and lungs. It treats or prevents clots that may occur because of a type of abnormal heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or heart valve replacement. Warfarin is also used to reduce the risk of death or blood clotting events (eg, stroke) after a heart attack. In the US, an economic study (Brookings Institute, November 2006) concluded that widespread use of warfarin sensitivity testing in the U.S. could avoid 85,000 serious-bleeding events and 17,000 strokes a year, saving healthcare costs of approximately $1.1 billion annually and improving patient care. There is not data available on the losses caused by warfarin. The USFDA as also asked pharma companies to update the labeling for the widely used blood-thinning drug, Coumadin, to explain that people’s genetic makeup may influence how they respond to the drug http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2007/new01684.html
More about Acton Biotech Acton Biotech is the first and only laboratory dedicated to offering pharmacogenomic tests in India. As we all know, different people respond differently to the same drug. It is well known that this difference in drug response is because of genetic differences. The study of these genetic differences to predict drug response is called Pharmacogenomics. Currently we are offering tests to identify patients who are at great risk of developing severe toxicity from commonly used drugs. We collect samples from all over India and analyze them in our laboratory. Our mission is to make drugs safer and effective.
Media Contact
Sandeep Saxena
Founder and CEO Acton Biotech (India) Pvt. Ltd. 4th Floor, Banoo Coyaji Building, KEM Hospital, Rastapeth, Pune 411011 Tel : 020 32319395 Mo : 9890042670 Web : www.actonbiotech.com