Zogenix Supports New No-Cost Genetic Testing Program With United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation To 'Improve Diagnosis of Mitochondrial Diseases'

Zogenix (NASDAQ:ZGNX), a global biopharmaceutical company developing rare disease therapies, today announced that the company is sponsoring a new no-cost genetic testing program, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Pilot Genetic Testing Project, in partnership with UMDF and Probably Genetic, to help patients obtain a confirmed genetic diagnosis of mitochondrial disease. The program is available to any eligible patient in the U.S. with a suspected diagnosis of mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial diseases are a group of rare, debilitating conditions that can severely impact daily living and quality of life, and are often fatal.5,6
 

"Because mitochondrial diseases affect various organs and tissues, the path to diagnosis can be challenging and long," said Bradley S. Galer, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Zogenix. "We are proud to offer no-cost genetic testing to help expand access to these much-needed genetic tests to shorten the diagnostic journey and help patients and their families seek appropriate care."

The UMDF Pilot Genetic Testing Project will be a patient-initiated no-cost genetic testing program for patients with a suspected mitochondrial disorder. Patients simply fill out an online symptom questionnaire and, if qualified, are mailed the testing kit. The saliva-based test is performed at home by the patient. Genetic counseling is also available to patients and their families and caregivers once test results are known.

"It's critically important that both physicians and patients/caregivers understand the value of genetic testing, as often both are hesitant due to lack of information, awareness and/or cost," said Philip Yeske, Science and Alliance Officer, UMDF. "We're honored to partner with Zogenix on this novel approach to potentially enable earlier diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases to help better support patients and caregivers who are desperately seeking answers."

The UMDF program will include testing for the TK2 gene.TK2d is a debilitating and life-threatening genetic disorder that causes progressive and severe muscle weakness. Genetic testing is the quick and direct pathway to confirm a diagnosis of TK2d. Zogenix is currently studying MT1621, a late-stage investigational nucleoside therapy for the treatment of TK2d.

Zogenix also recently partnered with Invitae to support its no-cost genetic testing program, called Detect Muscular Dystrophy, and continues to support a TK2d-specific genetic testing program through PreventionGenetics.

For more information on the no-cost genetic testing programs, please visit https://www.maybemito.com/.