Genetic Technologies launches BrevaGenplus

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has announced the US launch of BrevaGenplus, the enhanced version of its breast cancer risk assessment test.

The upgraded BrevaGenPlus is compatible with black and Hispanic women as well as Caucasians. It is directed at women aged 35 years or above who have not had breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ or ductal carcinoma in situ.

BrevaGen assesses both clinical risk factors and genetic markers known to be associated with non-hereditary breast cancer to determine a woman’s five-year or lifetime risk.

Genetic Technologies Scientific Director Dr Richard Allman said that since BrevaGen first launched in 2011 based on the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) indicative of breast cancer risk, the rate of genetic discoveries has increased significantly.

“The number of SNPs which have been associated with breast cancer has increased ten-fold [since 2011],” he said. “BrevaGenplus incorporates these latest discoveries to provide an improved polygenic risk test.”

Genetic Technologies has separately tapped two new non-executive directors to assist the company with its restructuring plan.

Corporate lawyer David Carter and Safetech (now STS) founder Dr Lindsay Wakefield have been appointed to the board on a casual basis, meaning they will need to stand for re-election at the company’s AGM.

Genetic Technologies revealed last month that it is restructuring its operations to focus on the US molecular diagnosis market. The company is selling its Australian genetics business as part of the restructuring, but plans to maintain its ASX listing and has no immediate plans to move its corporate operations offshore.

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) shares were trading 8.7% higher at $0.025 as of around 2 pm on Wednesday