Canon BioMedical expands molecular tests supporting pharmacogenetic research

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking a pain relief medication comes with the expectation of the pain alleviating. For most people, that is the case. Unfortunately for some, their genetic code is working against that alleviation. The CYP2D6 gene is involved in the metabolic pathway that allows drugs, such as codeine and tramadol, to lessen a patient's suffering. Up to ten percent of patients cannot convert their medication to the active state as their genotypes result in little or no CYP2D6 activity (1). The doctor prescribes the relief; the patient expects a reprieve – but the pain remains. Understanding each patient's drug response based on their genetic code is the focus of the exciting field of pharmacogenetic research. Canon BioMedical is delighted to add 28 new assays to the Novallele genotyping library, including six new assays to support investigation of the CYP2D6 gene.

The six new CYP2D6 assays will add to the nine assays currently offered, bringing the total to 15 assays for the relevant CYP2D6 target. Our continued expansion of the Novallele genotyping library further strengthens our commitment to the research of cancer, human development, inherited diseases, metabolism, neuroscience, and pharmacogenetics.

The Novallele genotyping assays detect genetic variations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis on any thermocycler capable of HRM. All Novallele genotyping assays are functionally verified and focus on relevant genotypes to genetic researchers working to improve health and advance science.

"We want to offer solutions that make pharmacogenetic research easier. We select assay targets based on current research discoveries, and then we make those assays easy to use and available to researchers," states Dr. Ivor Knight, Chief Technology Officer of Canon BioMedical. "Our R&D scientists and colleagues use HRM, an underutilized technology found on most thermocyclers, to develop fast, straight-forward genotyping assays."

Complete details about our new assays are available at www.canon-biomedical.com. In addition, Canon BioMedical will present the expanded Novallele genotyping library at the American Society of Human Genetics 2016 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on October 18. Find us at booth 709 in the Exhibit Hall or attend our lunch talk to discover more about our Novallele genotyping assays.

We will also be attending the Association for Molecular Pathology 2016 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 10. You can talk with us about our genotyping solutions at Booth 602 in the Exhibit Hall.

About Canon BioMedical

Canon BioMedical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., is focused on empowering the biomedical research and healthcare communities by developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative technologies and solutions. The technologies and solutions developed will help enable clinicians and scientists to improve our health and advance science. Canon BioMedical will continue to pursue innovative solutions in line with Canon's Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility through the use of existing and emerging Canon technology as well as strategic partnerships.

Products mentioned in this release are for Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

1. PharmGKB. Palo Alto (CA): Stanford University. Drug/Small Molecule: Codeine. Available from: http://www.pharmgkb.org/drug/PA449088.

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