Iverson Genetic Diagnostics Announces Strategic Partnership with Vanderbilt University for the Development & Commercialization of Molecular Diagnostics

Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. Announces a Strategic Partnership with Vanderbilt University for the Development and Commercialization of Molecular Diagnostics to assess Patients for Breast Cancer Risk

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. announced today a partnership agreement with Vanderbilt University under which Iverson receives global exclusive commercialization rights for molecular diagnostics that will help physicians to assess breast cancer risk in women considering hormone replacement therapy during menopause. Research suggests that estrogen metabolites represent one of several determinants of the risk of breast cancer. Specific enzymes regulate the biochemical pathways associated with the metabolism of estrogen. Corresponding genes code for the synthesis of these enzymes. Mutations of these genes are common and have been shown in the work of Fritz Parl, M.D., Ph.D., Philip Crooke, Ph.D., William Dupont, Ph.D., and others to be associated with an increased risk of cancer.

“The importance of finding gene variants that affect the metabolism of drugs and hormones--hence causing disease--is incredibly important for personalized medicine. This venture between Iverson and Vanderbilt is a wonderful example of a diagnostic test that could significantly improve the health of relevant patients.” comment by Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder of the Institute for Systems Biology and a membr of Iverson Genetic Diagnostics' Board of Directors.

About Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc.

Iverson Genetic Diagnostics, Inc. is a Nevada C corporation with administrative headquarters in Bothell, Washington, and production headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. Iverson is establishing a recognizable global brand for providing trusted genetic tests and testing services for the emerging market of individualized medicine and genetics-based molecular diagnostics. The company’s mission is to improve patient outcomes through personalized care. Iverson is a fully credentialed laboratory service company focused on providing results within 24 hours for hospitals and physicians. Iverson’s patented technology, Physician’s Logic^TM, is our healthcare information resource developed to deploy test results to providers and integrate with various electronic medical record systems in a HIPAA-compliant environment.

MuGard Patient Testimonial Video

MuGard

What is MuGard?

MuGard is a new, effective, mucoadhesive oral protectant, developed by Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc., that is designed to form a protective hydrogel coating over the oral mucosa while a patient is undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy cancer treatments to the head and neck.

MuGard shields the tender membranes of the mouth and tongue, and provides instant numbing and protection against oral mucositis, a painful and common side effect of cancer therapy. As a ready-to-use oral mucositis mouth rinse, MuGard is convenient and easy to use.

FIRST DAY EVERY DAY

MuGard offers hope and help right from the start of cancer therapy. Patients undergoing cancer therapy can begin to show the painful signs of oral mucositis usually within 4 days after the beginning of cancer treatment. The condition can last six to eight weeks or longer after the treatments are concluded, depending upon several factors including the overall health and well-being of the patient.

MuGard should be started on the first day of cancer therapy, even before the signs and symptoms of oral mucositis are evident. Using MuGard from the first day of treatment, and every day during treatment, was demonstrated to lessen the impact of oral mucositis on many patients, and eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrence in nearly 50% of all patients.

In two separate comparisons, it was shown that mean oral mucositis scores were lower for patients using MuGard than for similar patients on standard care. One of the most striking features of the comparison is that 43% of patients on MuGard experienced no oral mucositis compared with only 7% in the historical control group.

Is MuGard Right for me?

Oral mucositis is a significant health issue for all cancer patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, especially head and neck cancer patients, and those who receive highly mucotoxic chemotherapy regimens like 5FU and many others.

In fact, oral mucositis is cited as the most troubling side effect by more than 40% of cancer treatment patients. The incidence and severity of oral mucositis varies depending upon the treatment regimen and modality. However, over 90% of all patients receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck, and up to 40% of those receiving chemotherapy will develop some degree of oral mucositis.