Micromedic unit Bio-Gene is developing a kit to identify carriers of mutations of BRCA gene who are at increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer.
Technology being developed by Micromedic Technologies Ltd. (TASE:MCTC) portfolio companies address the growing awareness of the need for early screening and diagnostics, reflected by Angelina Jolie's voluntary double mastectomy because she carries the BRCA-1 gene, which results in a higher probability of breast cancer.
Micromedic portfolio company Bio-Gene is developing a kit to identify carriers of mutations of BRCA gene who are at increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. A sub-group of women with a unique genetic profile have a 60-80% greater probability developing breast or ovarian cancer, due to harmful mutations on the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes. The likelihood of a deleterious mutation in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 is increased with certain familial patterns of cancer and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women whose family history is associated with an increased risk of deleterious mutations in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes be referred for genetic counseling and evaluation for BRCA testing.
Bio-Gene's assay can identify carriers of deleterious BRCA mutations, adding valuable information on the potential functional effect of these mutations. The test, which is based on research carried out by Prof. Tamar Peretz and Prof. Asher Salmon of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem, has demonstrated proof of concept.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 21, 2013
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