DeCODE and Roche Plan Gene Test for Heart Attack Risk

LONDON (Reuters) – Iceland’s deCODE genetics Inc and Swiss group Roche Holding AG said on Friday they planned to develop a DNA-based test to identify people at increased genetic risk of myocardial infarction.

The move follows the discovery by their scientists of genetic polymorphisms confer twice the average risk of MI.

Reykjavik-based deCODE, which uses the small, isolated population of Iceland to examine the genetic basis of common diseases, will receive an unspecified milestone payment from Roche following the discovery.

The two firms are working on a range of diagnostic tests that could be worth up to $300 million in funding, milestone payments and royalties to the Icelandic biotechnology company.

Diagnostic tests typically take 2 or 3 years to develop, significantly faster than the time taken to produce new drugs.

Kari Stefansson, deCODE’s chief executive, said a test for MI risk would allow patients and their doctors to take preventative steps to minimise the danger. This might include taking drugs, as well as changing diet and lifestyle.

DeCODE mapped the gene link after studying DNA from 2000 patients and unaffected relatives from families across Iceland. They found two common forms of a single gene that conferred risks equal to or greater than other well-known risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.