Genedrive (GDR) , a molecular diagnostic company, has announced that the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID Kit, used to detect antibiotic-induced hearing loss, is in process for roll out at two further hospitals sites in the North West NHS in Manchester. 

The implementation project, scheduled to commence from April, will follow the NICE final recommendation for the use of the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID test in the NHS (England and Wales) which is expected towards the end of March.

The Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit is the world's first commercial point-of-care genetic test for emergency care. It helps to avoid irreversible lifelong hearing loss in specific infants exposed to aminoglycosides by rapidly detecting the m.1555A>G gene variant that can cause deafness, allowing for alternative antibiotics to be prescribed.

The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) Women and Children Domain, part of Health Innovation Manchester (HInM), are supporting and project managing the further roll out across Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.  

The company continues to work alongside HInM on specific plans for the roll out across an additional five neonatal sites in Greater Manchester. Once fully subscribed at this regional level, the test would be available when needed to circa 30000 newborns over the next NHS fiscal year, of which 10-12% are modelled to be admitted to a regional neonatal unit.

David Budd, CEO of genedrive plc, said: "While we work with clinicians and implementers nationally on a Trust by Trust basis, near-term roll outs such as this one in Greater Manchester will benefit from additional coordination and support.  We are grateful for the engagement from HInM and MFT, which will be an example for future regional roll outs elsewhere in the country. It's an important milestone for the Company as we work to ensuring every newborn has access to the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID test when needed."

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Another key milestone for Genedrive, building on the announcement last March that the first six installations of its Genedrive MT-RNR1 System will be deployed to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with four installations at Saint Mary's Hospital and two at Wythenshawe Hospital. The news of the rollout across two more hospital sites in the region will ultimately help to further improve healthcare outcomes for newborns. 

1 in every 13 babies in the UK is born prematurely, which is accompanied by an increased risk of infection following an underdeveloped immune system. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat severe bacterial infections, but in an estimated 1 in 500 cases, their use can result in permanent hearing loss. 

The Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit can accurately identify babies with the primary genetic variant who may be at risk of hearing loss, yielding results in less than 30 minutes. The kit is also simple to use, with healthcare professionals needing minimal training, alongside being easily adopted into existing neonatal admissions processes, making this product an all-around attractive addition to hospitals. 

As the rollout continues across Greater Manchester, clinicians will be able to quickly receive information on the best course of treatments for newborns, therefore helping to bypass aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss and avoid irreversible damage. 

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