Shares of Manchester-based Genedrive, a “point of care pharmacogenetic testing company,” rose as much as 50% after it announced news from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Genedrive said NICE has recommended in draft guidance that the Genedrive CYP2C19-ID test should be used as the point-of-care (POC) test of choice before clopidogrel administration in the management of Ischemic Stroke (IS) and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) patients. 

“Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug used after IS or TIA to reduce the risk of blood clots that can cause further strokes,” said Genedrive.

“Clopidogrel is metabolised into its active form by an enzyme encoded by the CYP2C19 gene which in some people has variations that reduce the enzyme’s function which means that clopidogrel does not work as well in these people.

“The Genedrive CYP2C19-ID point of care genetic test uses a single, non-invasive cheek swab sample, and rapidly identifies six important genetic variants of the CYP2C19 gene, which are instrumental in the loss of metabolism function.

“The Genedrive System automatically interprets the information for the clinician, allowing prompt administration of an optimised treatment plan.

“According to the World Stroke Organization, there are over 77 million people globally who currently have experienced ischaemic stroke and it is estimated by the Stroke Association that there are 100,000 strokes in the UK each year.  

“Suboptimal response to antiplatelet treatment following stroke is common, affecting about 20%-30% of patients in the general UK population, which increases to about 50%-60% in certain ethnic groups.

“NICE recommended in the May 2023 draft guidance that people who have just had an IS or TIA should have a CYP2C19 genetic test prior to antiplatelet treatment.

“Following a public consultation of this draft guidance, which ends on 26 April 2024, final recommendations are expected to be published by NICE on 10 July 2024 …“