Press Release
Iverson Genetic to sponsor the WARFARIN Study
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Posted: Sunday, March 14, 2010
ATLANTA, GA – Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. today announced that they will conduct a WARFARIN clinical study to assess the efficacy of gene-based testing prior to initiating warfarin anticoagulation therapy to reduce the incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events. The multicenter, randomized, blinded, parallel-group study is being led by Principal Investigator Dr. Elizabeth Ofili, MD, Director of Clinical Research and Associate Dean for Clinical Research at Morehouse School of Medicine.
Warfarin is a commonly used anticoagulant that must be dosed properly to avoid bleeding complications from overdosing and ineffectiveness from under dosing. Currently, more than 2 million patients are prescribed warfarin in the United States each year, with 1%–5% experiencing a major bleeding event. The annual cost associated with warfarin complications is estimated at $1.1 billion. Researchers have identified two specific genes, VKORC1 and CYP2C9, that contribute up to 60% of individual variations in response to using warfarin. The WARFARIN Study will investigate that with identification of these genes, whether physicians will be able to administer the proper warfarin dosage for each patient and avoid major hermorrhagic and thromboembolic adverse events.
The WARFARIN Study Steering Committee is still accepting sites interested in participation. Please visit www.warfarinstudy.org to obtain updated information about participation and progress.
About Iverson Genetic Diagnostics
Iverson Genetic Diagnostics is a leader in making actionable genetic information readily available to physicians in everyday practice. The company’s mission is to provide physicians with clinically relevant gene-based information to optimize therapy and enhance personal wellness for their patients. Iverson Genetic Diagnostics is headquartered in Bothell, Washington in the greater Seattle technology corridor. The company’s facilities are CLIA and CAP certified. For more information about the company, visit www.IversonGenetics.com.
About Morehouse School of Medicine
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), located in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1975 as the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College. In 1981 Morehouse School of Medicine became an independently chartered institution and the first minority medical school established at a Historically Black College and University in the 20th century. MSM is among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians. Our faculty and alumni are noted in their fields for excellence in teaching, research and public policy, and are known in the community for exceptional, culturally appropriate patient care. For more information about Morehouse School of Medicine, visit www.msm.edu.
About Georgia’s Bioscience Industry
With strong talent, a spirit of collaboration and access to the world, Georgia is at the crossroads of global health. Georgia is home to the CDC, CARE, the American Cancer Society, the Arthritis Foundation and more than 300 bioscience companies. The state offers robust public-private partnerships in bioscience, including the Georgia Research Alliance, through which the State’s six research universities collaborate to create, improve and grow science- and technology-based companies. Additionally, Georgia boasts a strong talent pool, with the nation’s highest growth in market share of college-educated 25-to-34 year-olds and one of the largest state university systems in the country, graduating 44,000 students each year. Georgia is the first state in the U.S. Southeast to hold the BIO International Convention, which attracted more than 14,000 participants from 58 countries in May 2009. For more information on Georgia’s bioscience industry, visit www.georgiabiosciences.com
All inquiries to the nature of this press release should be directed to Brady Prim @ 425.318.1382 or radyp@iversongenetics.com.