genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the near patient molecular diagnostics company, announces that the first six installations of the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 Antibiotic Induced Hearing Loss (“AIHL”) system have now been deployed to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (“MFT”), with four installations for Saint Mary’s Hospital and two at Wythenshawe Hospital (both part of MFT).
The Genedrive® MT-RNR1 System screens infants in an urgent care setting for a genetic mutation that will cause lifelong hearing loss (“Ototoxicity”), when carriers of the mutation are given certain antibiotics. Those that carry the mutation can be given alternative treatments. MFT will become the first NHS trust to implement the technology into routine clinical care. The test will deliver a genetic determination of MT-RNR1 status in 30 minutes, from a simple cheek swab.
The Genedrive MT-RNR1 System is available in the UK and Ireland in cooperation with Inspiration Healthcare (AIM: IHC). Hospitals interested in discovering more about how to manage ototoxicity can visit
https://www.genedrive.com/assays/rnr1-product.php.
Clinicians at MFT, supported through the National Institute for Health Research, Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (Hearing Health, Developing Genetic and Genomic Solutions) partnered with the Company in the development and validation of the innovative MT-RNR1 genetic test.
David Budd, CEO of genedrive plc, said: “Final completion and commissioning of these installations is important for the health and safety of infants being admitted into newborn intensive care units (“NICU”). They are also important as their routine use will serve as a model for other Trust and NICU’s looking for innovative ways to improve patient safety and overall outcomes. This is a cornerstone installation for us as we commercialise our unique AIHL assay.”