The story has been corrected to state that InformedDNA is a genetics services firm, not a genetics testing company.
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Genetic services firm InformedDNA today announced it is developing a genetic counseling program as part of a collaboration with Edimer Pharmaceuticals in support of the drug firm's clinical program directed at X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED).
The genetic counseling program will provide services to patients with the rare genetic disorder and their families, help identify patients with XLHED, and support Edimer's clinical efforts, which include the development of EDI200, an ectodysplasin-A1 replacement protein now in phase 2 clinical trials.
As part of the counseling program, InformedDNA will educate the community on XLHED, provide patients with risk assessments based on family history, review the mode of inheritance and implications for family members, discuss genetic testing options, highlight the importance of early diagnosis and potential treatments, and discuss current clinical trials, the St. Petersburg, Fl.-based company said.
XLHED is caused by a change in the gene EDA and is characterized by symptoms that include the lack of sweat glands, poor temperature regulation, respiratory problems, and hair and tooth malformations. No treatments for the condition are currently commercially available.
"This collaboration with InformedDNA is uniquely supporting Edimer's research goals for EDI200," Edimer President and CEO Neil Kirby said in a statement. "In growing the body of genetic data available on XLHED, we can better serve the population of patients and families impacted by this rare genetic disease."