The company have developed genetic tests to identify predisposition to major diseases such as osteoporosis and thrombosis so that early treatment will minimise the associated risks with these major disorders which affect a high percentage of the world’s population.
If the patient is aware of the increased risk of such diseases then they will be able to take preventative measures to contain or significantly reduce the impact of the illness.
Although it is well known that over 80% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory tests which identify the cause of a condition, tests are typically undertaken only once the symptoms become apparent. This provides the patient with a treatment scenario which is potentially more intensive than it would be if the disease had been identified at an earlier stage, thus increasing the risks, costs and of course distress.
Genetic testing provides this early warning and makes available to the doctor all the information to assess risk factors and therefore to establish a course of prevention, disease reduction or cure. Astra Biotech’s goal is to contribute to the individual’s quality of life through prevention of disease rather than having to cure it, and thus to contribute to improving overall healthcare.
Currently available are test kits for quality-of-life reducing conditions such as osteoporosis and cardio-vascular disease (thrombosis), plus an individual’s sensitivity to anti-coagulant drugs. In the development pipeline are tests for allergies which increasingly affect a growing number of the population and which, in addition to the inconvenience of having an allergy, may actually trigger other health symptoms with more serious consequences.
Furthermore, a test for the life-threatening disease cystic fibrosis is in the final stages of development.
