UPS has been selected by Iverson, a US company offering advanced genetic testing to health careproviders, to provide shipping services for an upcoming study.
In late June 2010, Iverson Genetic Diagnostics received an approval from the Centres forMedicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct a two-year study that will assess the impact ofgenetic information on the occurrence of adverse bleeding events. Iverson will determine theinitial dose of warfarin compared to adverse events for those not using genetics in dosedetermination. The warfarin study will involve more than 7,000 patients at over 50 hospital sitesnationwide.
As part of the agreement, UPS will send test kits and shipping materials to Iverson’s clinicalstudy sites that are recruiting patients for the warfarin trial. UPS will also transport vitalresearch patient specimens back reliably and quickly to Morehouse School of Medicine for earliestpossible analysis. Enrolment in warfarin will start in November of 2010.
“UPS is delighted to be Iverson’s trusted shipping provider for such a monumental study. It’sanother example of how we can help make a difference in patients’ lives through our healthcarelogistics services,” said Bill Hook, vice president of Global Strategy, UPS Healthcare Logistics. “Serving the supply chain needs of healthcare companies around the world is a core focus for UPS,either through transportation, distribution or specialized healthcare services.”
Warfarin (brand name Coumadin) is a commonly used anticoagulant (blood thinner). The dose ofwarfarin must be individualised for each patient according to his or her response to the drug.Currently, these individual dose requirements are often evaluated on a trial-and-error basis.Today, more than 2 million patients are prescribed warfarin in the United States each year with1-5% of those experiencing a major bleeding event. The annual cost associated with warfarincomplications is estimated to be $1.1 billion, Iverson said.
“CMS’s approval of warfarin is evidence of the growing role of genetics in helping physicians todevelop optimal individual treatments for their patients. The data from this study will determineif the use of genetics in warfarin dosing reduces adverse health events. Physicians need to makedosing decisions about warfarin on the spot,” said Dean Sproles, CEO and founder, Iverson Genetics.“We look forward to partnering with UPS to bring the benefits of genetic testing to physicians andtheir patients in a timely manner.”
Iverson Genetic Diagnostics provides actionable genetic information to physicians in everydaypractice to optimise therapy and enhance personal wellness for their patients. Headquartered in theSeattle suburb of Bothell, Washington, Iverson also operates two specialty-specific genetic testinglabs through university relationships in Georgia and South Carolina.
