GTG sports gene test to be distributed in Japan

Melbourne-based Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has signed an agreement with health and lifestyle industry supplier Sportsstyle for the marketing and distribution of its ACTN3 SportsGene Test throughout Japan.

The ACTN3 gene, or alpha-actinin 3, has two variants associated with athletic ability. One variation of the muscle-expressed gene is associated with power and speed and is found in significantly higher frequencies in elite sprinters, while another form of the gene is associated with endurance, and is found in elite endurance athletes. GTG acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to commercialise the ACTN3 SportsGene test in 2003 from the University of Sydney. The test can help athletes choose the best event for their muscle type, according to GTG.

"This type of information will either provide confirmation that you're undertaking the right sport or it might provide further information to allow you to understand areas that you could improve on," said GTG's general manager of business development, Geoff Newing. "However, if you have the wrong diet or you don't train this doesn't make you a star."

Under the agreement, Sportsstyle has the right to market and distribute the ACTN3 SportsGene Test under its own name in Japan. The company plans to offer the test within its existing range of products and services to the Japanese health and lifestyle market. Sportsstyle currently provides conditioning and nutrition programs designed to increase athletic performance and personal well being, as well as distributing a range of equipment to gymnasiums.

"Sportstyle have a quite wide-ranging customer base, from elite athletes all the way down to people who are looking at a whole range of treatments that fall into the health and lifestyle ambit," said Newing.

GTG will be responsible for performing the ACTN3 SportsGene Test, analysing the results and issuing reports to Sportsstyle and its customers.

The specific commercial terms of the agreement are confidential.

Newing said that the Japanese agreement is the beginning of a global rollout of the ACTN3 SportsGene Test. GTG is currently finalising a formal agreement for the distribution of the ACTN3 SportsGene Test throughout Europe and hopes to conclude the agreement soon. The company also plans to distribute the test in the United States and there is a "fair degree of interest" in China, said Newing.

"We're going through a process now of filing patents in all the places we need to file them, and going through the whole intellectual property process. And then as they fall into place, so to do our agreements," said Newing.