MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 29, 2016) – A Minnesota company today announced it has launched an innovative physician-ordered test for identifying which medications may work best for individual patients. OneOme, a growing pharmacogenomics company, has introduced the RightMed test, making it possible for physicians to quickly and accurately personalize medications for individual patients – even before they take the first dose.
Pharmacogenomics is a new, emerging field that combines the study of how drugs affect biological systems (pharmacology) with the study of genes and their functions (genomics). Recently, OneOme launched the physician-ordered RightMed test, which makes it possible to identify how a patient may or may not respond to certain medications – based on their genetic makeup. This helps to eliminate some of the trial-and-error that can often precede identification of the most effective medication.
“The RightMed test was developed to address the fact that around half of the four billion prescriptions issued each year do not work as intended, and that adverse drug reactions account for seven percent of hospital admissions and 20 percent of readmissions,” said OneOme CEO, Paul Owen.
By using a cheek-swab test taken as part of a routine doctor’s visit or by taking the test at home and submitting it directly to OneOme, physicians will have a better idea of how their patients’ 22 genes analyzed through the test will respond to a list of more than 340 medications. The hope is for physicians to be able to identify the best options for their patients.
While anyone can take the RightMed test, patients who may benefit most include: those who take some classes of medication, such as cardiovascular prescriptions; those who are struggling with adverse drug reactions, unwanted side effects, medications that are not working; or those who are on multiple medications.
OneOme is a privately owned company located in Minnesota, a state well known and recognized for its medical innovation. The RightMed test was created in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and is available worldwide. Currently the test is used in Centra Health’s Stroobants Cardiovascular Center, Mayo Clinic’s Center for Individualized Medicine (CIM), and Ridgeview Medical Center, among others.
Because of OneOme’s recent progress in making the test more affordable and increasing interest in DNA testing from patients, the RightMed test is rapidly gaining popularity among physicians and patients. Paired with OneOme’s ability to secure lab accreditation through the College of American Pathologists (CAP), considered the “gold standard” of lab standards, more and more physicians, pharmacists and patients are considering the test before starting a path of prescription treatment options.
OneOme also recently began integrating the test results into what is commonly called an EMR, or electronic medical record. This will make it easier for physicians to order the RightMed test and see its results electronically throughout the patient’s lifetime.
To learn more about OneOme or the RightMed test, please visit oneome.com/patient and then discuss with your healthcare provider.
Editor’s Note: Mayo Clinic has a financial investment in the technology referenced in this news release. The revenue that Mayo Clinic will receive is used to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education and research.