Genedrive plc (AIM: GDR) has highlighted comments from UK Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill MP, who cited rapid pharmacogenetic testing for antibiotic-induced hearing loss as a practical example of personalised medicine in the NHS.
Speaking during evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into innovation in the NHS, the Minister referred to work by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre involving a rapid test capable of identifying newborn babies at increased risk of permanent hearing loss before certain antibiotics are administered.
The test referenced was the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit, developed in collaboration with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with research support from the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and The University of Manchester.
The CE-IVD-approved test is designed to identify babies carrying a genetic variant associated with a substantially increased risk of permanent hearing loss when treated with certain aminoglycoside antibiotics.
The technology is currently being deployed across NHS neonatal intensive care units through the PALOH-UK programme.
Genedrive said the test has now transitioned into routine clinical use at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Discussions are also continuing to support the transition to routine use at additional participating hospitals.
The Minister described the technology as a powerful example of personalised medicine in practice, highlighting how rapid genetic testing can help tailor treatment decisions before medication is given.
A recording of the Committee session is available at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/bdfd2733-07bc-4039-ba88-c62e6fc2c8c2, with the quoted comment starting at 10:20:22.
