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CMM First Midwest-Based Lab Offering Roche Test to Help Predict Drug Performance & Improve Safety

14 June 07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Center for Molecular Medicine First Midwest-Based Lab Offering Roche Test to Help Predict Drug Performance & Improve Safety

Grand Rapids, Mich., June 13, 2007 – The Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM) today announced it is the first Midwest-based laboratory to offer the FDA-approved AmpliChip® CYP450 Test to physicians and hospitals.

This genomics-based, FDA-approved clinical laboratory test provides physicians information that may be used to help determine a patient’s unique ability or inability to metabolize a large variety of prescription drugs. AmpliChip CYP450 test results may be used by physicians to make more rational drug prescription decisions, reduce “trial and error” prescription and dosing and guard against dangerous and expensive adverse drug reactions.

Reports from the Institute of Medicine and other sources have documented thousands of deaths each year from adverse drug reactions. The resulting costs to the US health care system exceed $100 billion annually, reflecting a significant public health problem that is, for the most part, preventable.

The AmpliChip CYP450 Test, created by Roche Diagnostics, is the first FDA-approved test of its kind. Using the test, physicians can have prior knowledge of how certain medications and levels of prescribed doses will affect their patient before beginning treatment.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based CMM is a CLIA certified, CAP accredited, state of the art clinical diagnostics laboratory designed not only to perform cutting-edge technology tests like CYP450 testing, but also to attract genomics and proteomics-based clinical trials from diagnostics and pharmaceutical companies to a resource-rich environment designed to support successful trials.

“The Center for Molecular Medicine and Roche Diagnostics share similar values in our commitment to cutting-edge technology,” said Lonnie Shoff, vice president of Molecular Diagnostics and Applied Science for Roche Diagnostics. “We are pleased the CMM has chosen to use the AmpliChip CYP450 Test to provide patients with more personalized information to assist physicians in their treatment.”

Approximately 25 percent of all prescription drugs are metabolized by the enzymes measured by the AmpliChip® CYP450 Test, including many of the most-prescribed drugs for treating depression. The test need only be done once in a person’s lifetime to provide a permanent and critical reference capable of significantly improving care and reducing costs.

”The CMM was created to bring just this sort of cutting-edge technology to the patients and physicians of Grand Rapids, the state and the region,” said CMM Executive Director Daniel H. Farkas. We are seeking new ways to lead in genomics. We believe that our innovative insurance companies, resource-rich environment for genomics-based clinical trials and state of the art genomics laboratory will serve the needs of many interested parties and help to diversify the economy of this state. Grand Rapids is bullish on biotechnology.”

Physicians interested in obtaining more information about the AmpliChip CYP450 test may contact CMM directly at 616.391.4330 or download order forms at: http://www.cmmdx.org/physicians.

About the CMM: The Center for Molecular Medicine, a joint venture between Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spectrum Health and Van Andel Institute (VAI), brings West Michigan a cutting-edge laboratory that will aid in early diagnoses and enhance personalized medicine. It offers 21st century molecular technologies for investigation of complex diseases like cancer, heart disease, mental illness and other conditions at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. The Center brings new and increased opportunities for diagnostics and pharmaceutical companies to conduct trials in a world-class medical and clinical research environment.

For more information, contact:
Don Hunt, Rebecca Howe
Lambert, Edwards & Associates
616-233-0500