Genetic Technologies unveils GeneType test for unprecedented disease risk assessment

Molecular diagnostics company Genetic Technologies (ASX: GTG) has announced a major breakthrough in risk assessment tests for serious diseases.

The new GeneType technology builds on the success of the company’s comprehensive hereditary breast and ovarian cancer test.

The innovation will be a world first in identifying more than 200 high-penetrant genes to unlock the hereditary disease risk, with its current multi-test associated with the most common cancers, cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.

High accuracy for hereditary risk

Chief executive officer Simon Morriss said the GeneType innovation will help identify nearly 100% of people at risk of disease going beyond family history, which is only responsible for 5 to 15% of issues.

“As pioneers in risk assessment testing, we are thrilled to introduce our latest GeneType comprehensive risk assessment test.”

“This test empowers individuals to take control of their health and enables healthcare professionals to deliver truly personalised care, resulting in a significant improvement in patient outcomes.”

“Importantly, the test includes the sporadic non-hereditary disease which is linked to the remaining 85% of people.”

Comprehensive assessment

The GeneType test goes beyond conventional assessments, incorporating an extensive panel of hereditary genes and providing a comprehensive evaluation of the individual’s genetic predisposition to serious diseases, whether there is a family history or not.

The GeneType assessment also includes an automatic reflex that captures the majority of patients at risk of these serious diseases.

Mr Morriss said the population-wide test would identify patients at risk of serious disease in nearly 70% of annual mortalities and morbidities and remains a simple non-invasive sample.

Non-invasive test

GeneType’s patented non-invasive saliva test remains at the core of the Genetic Technologies approach, ensuring accessibility and ease for patients while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy.

Mr Morriss said that Genetic Technologies had identified the United States healthcare market as a massive opportunity for the GeneType test.

“With an increasing emphasis on personalised medicine and preventative healthcare, the demand for comprehensive genetic risk assessments is expected to grow significantly.”

According to Grand View Research the genetic testing market in the US was valued at around $11.3 billion in 2022, with increasing awareness and adoption of genetic testing for disease prevention and early intervention a major factor.