RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metabolon, a global leader in metabolomics, announced today that its Quantose IR™ prediabetes test is now available to physicians in Mexico through PATIA Biopharma, its commercial partner there. In addition, PATIA and its affiliates will be using Quantose IR in two large-scale studies to test up to three million adults and teenagers in Mexico who are overweight or obese and/or have a family history of diabetes. It is estimated that one out of every five adults in Mexico has prediabetes, a condition that often progresses to type 2 diabetes if left untreated. Early detection is crucial, because prediabetes can be reversed with lifestyle changes and treatment.
With Quantose IR, PATIA has a new tool to aid doctors and patients in making informed and timely decisions that could potentially delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, a serious public health issue affecting more than 10 percent of the adult population in Mexico. In fact, an average of eight people die in that country every hour from complications related to the disease, according to the IDF Diabetes Atlas.
Quantose IR is a convenient, cost-effective test that requires only a single fasting blood sample. The test measures the blood concentration levels of specific metabolites, making it possible to detect insulin resistance, an early indication of prediabetes.
In February 2014, Metabolon and PATIA announced a strategic alliance agreement naming PATIA the exclusive commercial partner for Quantose IR in Mexico. All testing will be performed at the Clínica Ruiz laboratories, which are certified by the American National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
"We're proud that Quantose IR is now commercially available in Mexico through a dynamic collaboration with PATIA Biopharma," stated John Ryals, Ph.D., President and CEO at Metabolon. "Treatment of type 2 diabetes is an enormous and rising cost worldwide, and awareness of prediabetes is the first step to avoiding progression. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, so prevention offers tremendous potential to begin reversing the course of this growing epidemic."
About PATIA Biopharma
PATIA Biopharma is a Mexican company devoted to the development and commercialization of genomic, proteomic and metabolomics tests for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and cancer, diseases of high incidence and mortality in the Mexican population. Through alliances with leading research centers and biotechnology companies, PATIA Biopharma offers the most advanced diagnostic tools to the Mexican and Latin American populations. For more information, visit www.patia.com.mx.
About Quantose IR
Quantose IR is a laboratory-developed test (LDT) that reflects insulin resistance. This blood test is based on insulin and three recently identified non-glycemic biomarkers and detects progression to prediabetes earlier than traditional glycemic measures such a hemoglobin A1c. By reflecting insulin resistance, Quantose IR provides clinicians with useful information that goes beyond glycemic measures to stratify their patients by level of insulin sensitivity.
About Metabolon
Metabolon, Inc. is a world-leading, commercial-stage metabolomics company whose expertise is embraced by companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer products, agricultural, pet care and nutrition industries, as well as government and academic institutions. Founded in 2002, the company is pioneering the emerging field of biochemical pathway analysis for biomarker discovery and development of innovative, cost-effective diagnostic tests. Our technology is the product of more than 12 years of R&D and is powered by our proprietary MetabolyzerTM software. Our metabolytics business has conducted more than 3,000 collaborative studies with over 600 clients to identify diseases, discover biomarkers, and better understand complex biological processes. Our diagnostics business consists of tests that enable early detection for the effective prevention of obesity-related diseases and monitoring tests for cancer. For more information, please visit www.metabolon.com.
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