Manchester-based Genedrive plc said UK medical authorities have recommended its genetic test for stroke sufferers before they use anti-blood clotting drugs, which should increase sales of the test in the UK and overseas. 

Its shares rose more than 20% on the London Stock Exchange. 

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended Genedrive’s test in its final guidance that genotyping should be used to guide clopidogrel use after Ischaemic Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack.

With UKCA certification already achieved, the company said it will now actively pursue commercialisation of the test in the UK and Middle Eastern countries where device registration is enabled by UKCA certification, and is “fully prepared to supply and meet the anticipated demand.”

 Genedrive’s 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, five of which are instrumental in the loss of metabolism function. It automatically interprets the information for the clinician, allowing prompt administration of an optimised treatment plan. 

 James Cheek, CEO of Genedrive, said: “This represents a key milestone in our commercialisation plans for the product, and further solidifies our business strategy of leading provision of cost-effective solutions for pharmacogenetics in time critical emergency healthcare situations. We are proud to be at the forefront of the emergence of near-patient genetic testing in emergency healthcare to facilitate optimal personalised therapeutic choices and ultimately improve patient outcomes.”

 Bill Newman, Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine at the University of Manchester and Lead of the NHSE Network of Excellence in Pharmacogenetics and Medicines Optimisation at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “To ensure that patients receive the correct treatment to reduce the risk of them having a further stroke after an initial episode, we need to use a rapid genetic test. The development of this new point-of-care diagnostic has the potential to significantly improve care for tens of thousands of patients after a stroke.”