This story was originally posted on May 17.
Lineagen plans to launch an upgraded version of its FirstStepDx test for autism spectrum disorders.
The Salt Lake City-based company said this week that the next generation of FirstStepDx would include new ASD-associated markers identified by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Applied Genomics and at the University of Utah's department of human genetics.
Lineagen recently concluded the testing component of a study of 9,000 samples designed to confirm these ASD variants. A paper detailing the project could appear by the end of the year, at which time Lineagen will upgrade FirstStepDx.
CEO Michael Paul said in a statement that the company is "further refining" its products to incorporate any new findings into its next-generation, high-density array. "If there are positive results from this large study, which we cannot determine until the research is completed, Lineagen's next-generation FirstStepDx will offer the ability to identify more than 100 novel genetic markers associated with ASD," Paul said.
Lineagen launched its ASD testing service last year (BAN 1/11/2011). Affymetrix manufactures the privately held company's chromosomal microarrays.
Further details were not discussed.