Genedrive PLC on Friday said it had received initial UK orders for its MT-RNR1 testing kit.

The Manchester-based point of care pharmacogenetic testing company said five hospitals across the Greater Manchester area placed orders valued in excess of £100,000.

These hospitals include The Royal Oldham Hospital, Stepping Hill Hospital, Royal Bolton Hospital, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and Tameside General Hospital which together admit approximately 1,900 babies per year.

The MT-RNR1 kit is a non-invasive test which in 26 minutes can identify babies in intensive care units with the MT-RNR1 genetic variant. Failure to identify this variant leaves infants susceptible to hearing loss if prescribed aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Chief Executive Officer James Cheek said: ‘I am delighted to see the positive effects of our direct to customer commercialisation strategy in the UK... Our expectation is that more NHS trusts will adopt this simple to use point of care genetic test in the coming months and we continue to grow our opportunities overseas.’

This latest round of orders follow initial international orders from six countries which were received in December.

Genedrive shares were up 7.5% to 1.80 pence each in London on Friday morning.

Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.