Point-of-care pharmacogenetic testing company genedrive plc (AIM: GDR) announced on Monday that it has made its first UK commercial sale of the Genedrive CYP2C19-ID Kit.

This follows guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommending CYP2C19 genotyping to guide clopidogrel use after ischaemic stroke (IS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), with the Genedrive test as the preferred choice for point-of-care strategies. An initial order, valued at approximately GBP0.1m, was received for the CYP2C19-ID Kit and instruments to support an implementation assessment at Greater Manchester's Comprehensive Stroke Centre.

Greater Manchester Comprehensive Stroke Centre, located at Salford Royal Hospital, is part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust and handles over 2,000 stroke patient admissions annually. As the largest Hyperacute Stroke Unit (HASU) in England, it forms a critical component of the UK's Integrated Stroke Delivery Network, which focuses on providing rapid access to stroke care within the first 72 hours of admission. The implementation assessment aims to evaluate the test's benefits for patients in Greater Manchester.

NICE guidance highlights the importance of CYP2C19 genotyping, using the Genedrive CYP2C19-ID test when laboratory testing is unavailable, to personalise clopidogrel therapy. The Genedrive System offers an affordable alternative to traditional laboratory platforms, suitable for both point-of-care and laboratory settings, without requiring high-throughput batch processing. The implementation of CYP2C19 genotyping in IS/TIA is projected to provide the NHS with potential value of GBP91m over one year and GBP454m over five years, factoring in improved patient outcomes and healthcare savings.

Based in Manchester, genedrive plc specializes in developing and commercializing rapid, cost-effective point-of-care pharmacogenetic platforms for diagnosing genetic variants. These tests help clinicians make informed decisions about appropriate medications and dosages, particularly crucial in emergency care. The company's flagship products, the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit and the Genedrive CYP2C19 ID Kit, have been developed with NHS partners and are recommended by NICE for use in the UK NHS. The MT-RNR1 ID Kit, a world-first, aids in antibiotic decisions for neonatal intensive care within 26 minutes, while the CYP2C19 ID Kit informs clopidogrel use in stroke patients within 70 minutes.

genedrive plc's commercial strategy focuses on accelerating growth through in-market sales, geographic expansion, and strategic mergers and acquisitions. The company is committed to expanding its portfolio and operates from its Manchester facilities.