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Using genomic discoveries to empower prevention, personalize care and unravel biology in complex diseases including young-onset diabetes

Summary

Technology: A panel of genetic variants/sequences to predict diabetes and its comorbidities

General purpose: To use genetic information to empower prevention and personalize care

Advantages over existing technology: Diabetes reduces life expectancy by 6-12 years especially in young people, due to vascular, cancer, non-vascular, non-cancer causes. Over 50% of affected subjects are undiagnosed and 30-50% of patients with cardiovascular-renal disease have undiagnosed diabetes. Our technology based on genoytpes and phenotypes can identify subjects at risk of beta cell dysfunction and diabetic subjects with 2-6 fold increased risk for cardiovascular-renal events. Protected by patents in China and US, we have claims to use these genetic markers to 1) motivate at risk subjects to improve lifestyle and undergo regular surveillance to prevent diabetes 2) identify high risk diabetic subjects for intensified and personalized care to prevent premature death and disabilities 3) develop drug targets and novel strategies to prevent, control and cure diabetes.

Market potential: In China, 1 in 4 people has diabetes or prediabetes. In less than 2 decades, the prevalence of diabetes has increased from 1% to 5% in young-to-middle-aged subjects. In affluent cities like Hong Kong, 5-15% of young-to-middle aged subjects have diabetes. In these diabetic subjects, 25% are diagnosed before 40 year-old and by 60 year-old, 30% may suffer a cardiovascular-renal or cancer event or related-death. Yet, the risks of these major events can be reduced by 50% using a team-based and structured care model to reduce clinical inertia, personalize care and improve patients’ adherence. Our technology can be used to motivate behavioral changes and intensify care in Chinese at risk for diabetes (e.g. family history, obesity, metabolic syndrome, gestational diabetes, cardiovascular disease, unhealthy lifestyle) or its complications (e.g. young-onset diabetes and poor risk factor control) to reduce onset of diabetes and its complications.

Application No.

072, 074, 097, 151, 385, 422, 440 & 487

Others

Inventor(s): Prof Juliana CN CHAN, Prof Ronald MA and Prof Wing Yee SO Department of Medicine and Therapeutics Licensing Status: Available

Country/Region

Hong Kong