SureGene and PGxl Laboratories Launch Antipsychotic and Antidepressant Response Test

SureGene, a company providing personalized solutions for the treatment of serious mental illnesses, has announced that it has partnered with PGxL Laboratories, to launch the SureGene Test for Antipsychotic and Antidepressant Response (STA2R). This breakthrough pharmacogenetic test contains genetic markers for effectiveness of antipsychotic drug treatment. STA2R provides clinicians with valuable new information to facilitate personalized antipsychotic and antidepressant drug selection.

Millions of people each year are treated with antipsychotic drugs, and tens of millions are treated with antidepressants. Very often, patients must try several drugs before finding the right one for them. With the STA2R report, for the first time clinicians have useful medical information to augment their experience for selecting a drug treatment for each patient.

STA2R combines the propriety SULT4A1-1 genetic signature with four other gene tests. Clinical studies in Caucasian schizophrenic patients have indicated that SULT4A1-1 positive patients treated with olanzapine have greater reduction in psychotic symptoms and a significantly lower risk of being hospitalized. Additionally STA2R helps identify those patients for whom risperidone, the current standard treatment, is contraindicated and patients that may not respond as well to certain antidepressants.

“STA2R represents a revolutionary change to the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. For the first time, physicians will have a test that can help them prioritize the treatment choices for their patients,” say Dr. Bill W. Massey, President of SureGene.

STA2R has an easy collection process requiring only a simple cheek swab in the healthcare professional’s office. The swabs are then placed in the pre-paid shipping container, which is then delivered to PGx Laboratories, a CLIA-certified lab in Louisville, KY. Within a few days, the clinician receives a secure report.

SureGene discovered and patented the SULT4A1 genetic signature. PGxL Laboratories independently developed the STA2R test and will exclusively perform the test in its laboratory. SureGene is working with healthcare providers to promote the test.