Juneau Biosciences Gives Four Presentations at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI)
Juneau Biosciences reports its recent findings relating to the genetics of endometriosis in four presentations at SRI
SALT LAKE CITY, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predictive Technology Group, Inc. (OTC PINK: PRED), a leader in the use of data analytics for disease identification and subsequent therapeutic intervention through precision therapeutic treatments, announces that Juneau Biosciences is delivering four scientific presentations at the 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Investigation (SRI), which is being held from Tuesday, March 12th to Saturday, March, 16th in Paris, France. Predictive Technology Group inlicensed the technology supporting its ARTGuide® Test for endometriosis and other genetic causes of infertility from Juneau and is the company’s largest shareholder.
On Thursday March 14, Juneau scientists gave three presentations at the SRI meeting. Dr. Ward, Juneau’s Founder and CEO, presented "Protein-Truncating Mutations Underlying Endometriosis.” Protein truncating variants (PTVs) are gene mutations which usually cause a complete loss of function of the encoded protein. Finding PTVs associated with a disease can efficiently uncover novel pathophysiologic factors and important therapeutic targets. Dr. Ward reported on findings from the successful genome-wide search for PTVs associated with endometriosis conducted by Juneau. These mutations have been incorporated in the ARTguide test currently being used for infertility patients at beta launch sites in the United States.
Dr. Ward presented a second paper describing mutations in the METTL11B gene found in familial endometriosis. This presentation highlights how high-risk families with multiple generations of women affected by endometriosis can be studied to discover rare mutations that can play a large role in determining whether a woman descendant develops endometriosis. This genetic sleuthing is made easier with the use of PRED’s GenDB database, which allows researchers to track relationships between 32 million ancestors and the present-day population of the Intermountain West. This database was used to discover the largest endometriosis family in the world, with hundreds of women with a confirmed diagnosis who are all descendants of a man born in England in 1608. This remarkable family spans 19 generations, and hundreds of thousands of women around the globe may carry endometriosis-promoting gene mutations transmitted in this family.
Dr. Hans Albertsen, Juneau’s Chief Scientific Officer, presented the third paper entitled "Avoiding False Positive Results through Ancestry Filtering.” His presentation addressed the importance of precisely considering the ancestry of research subjects to avoid false positive conclusions when conducting genetic research studies. He describes the care used to develop the ARTguide test, which includes over 200 DNA-based markers to determine the proper ancestral reference group when interpreting results.
On Saturday, March 16, Dr. Ward will present a paper entitled “The Genetic Architecture of Endometriosis." This paper will summarize over a decade of discovery work that led to a detailed understanding of the genetic factors contributing to endometriosis.
SRI is the leading international research organization in the areas of gynecology and reproductive health. The organization seeks to advance reproductive and women's health care through outstanding basic, translational, and clinical science and by training and mentoring future generations of investigators.
Predictive Laboratories, a wholly owned subsidiary of Predictive Technology Group, recently launched its novel test for women experiencing infertility, called ARTGuide®, to selected Beta launch centers. The ARTGuide® Test will now incorporate these latest data. The test is expected to change the way that Advanced Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are used to help couples struggling to have a baby. Tens of thousands of women have been tested as part of this research and development program.
About Endometriosis:
Endometriosis affects more than 10 million women in the United States. Endometriosis occurs when the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb), found in other parts of the body, most commonly in the pelvis. Monthly bleeding and inflammation caused by these lesions may severely impact a woman's quality of life. Some affected women experience severe pain, others infertility, others problems with their periods, and some have no symptoms at all. Today, definitive diagnosis requires surgery. Due to the difficulties, invasiveness, and expense of diagnosing the condition, the majority of women diagnosed with endometriosis suffer for over a decade before receiving treatment. Treatment may involve hormonal suppression or a targeted destruction of the abnormal tissue during surgery.
About Juneau Biosciences:
Juneau Biosciences is a privately held medical genetics company conducting groundbreaking research to develop innovative diagnostic products for diseases that predominantly affect women. Launched in early 2007, the Salt Lake City based firm has focused so far on the development of novel molecular diagnostics and therapeutics for endometriosis, a condition estimated to affect approximately 10% of reproductive-age females.
About Predictive Technology Group, Inc.
Predictive Technology Group aims to revolutionize patient care through predictive data analytics, novel gene-based diagnostics and companion therapeutics through its subsidiaries Predictive Therapeutics, Predictive Biotech, Predictive Diagnostics and Predictive Laboratories. These subsidiaries are focused on endometriosis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and human cell and tissue products. The subsidiaries use genetic and other information as cornerstones in the development of new diagnostics that assess a person’s risk of illness and therapeutic products designed to identify, prevent and treat diseases more effectively. Additional information is available at Predtechgroup.com; Predrx.com and Predictivebiotech.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for human cell and tissue products and other pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, availability of additional intellectual property rights, availability of future financing sources, the regulatory environment, and other risks the Company may identify from time to time in the future.
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