Cytox’s genoSCORETM-LAB test can predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Yourgene Genomic Services to run the array-based test at Citylabs 1.0 in Manchester

Manchester, UK – 11 March 2021: Yourgene (AIM: YGEN), the international molecular diagnostics group, announces that Yourgene Genomic Services (“YGS”) has signed a contract with Cytox Ltd (“Cytox”), a collaborative partner, to run Cytox’s genetic test, genoSCORETM–LAB*, which can predict the risk of an individual’s cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease, in the Company’s Citylabs 1.0 in Manchester.

Under the collaboration agreement, announced on 21 October 2020 and the successful conclusion of the beta testing study, YGS will run the array-based test with patient samples coming from the UK and Europe. Both blood and saliva samples will be sent to YGS to be analysed against an array of c.100,000 common genetic variations or biomarkers that are associated with, or protective against, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The test will be able to detect the necessary genotypes to calculate individual polygenic risk scoring (“PRS”) and generate an overall risk of cognitive decline due to the disease. A risk report will be produced, providing recommendations for positive steps for the patient to take to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

With modifiable factors accounting for more than 30% of the risk for Alzheimer’s, the adoption of behaviours to monitor and treat factors such as hypertension, elevated cholesterol and smoking, is likely to bring benefit to the time of onset and rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. In Europe alone, there are an estimated 1.6 million new cases of dementia each year, of which 800,000 are Alzheimer’s disease. 

Commenting, Lyn Rees, CEO of Yourgene, said: “We are pleased to update shareholders on this exciting development with our partner Cytox, highlighting the strengths and scope of our YGS capabilities. This is an additional test in our growing portfolio around precision health and provides another endorsement of the CRO core services offering YGS provides to our partners.”

* genoSCORE-LAB only requires a blood or saliva sample. An easy-to-use mouth swab enables elderly and vulnerable patients to provide a sample from home if they are self-isolating due to COVID-19, or not wishing or easily able to attend a healthcare setting. As such, genoSCORE-LAB offers an easy to access alternative to existing invasive lumbar puncture tests, and expensive scanning procedures.