Alnylam and 23andMe Collaborate on +MyFamily Program to Increase Awareness of TTR-Related Hereditary Amyloidosis
July 16 2019 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
− Companies share a commitment to supporting
patients with this rare, underdiagnosed hereditary condition and
are now offering more people the opportunity to learn about their
health risk −
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), the leading RNAi
therapeutics company, and 23andMe, the leading consumer genetics
company, are collaborating on a program to offer free 23andMe
Health + Ancestry kits to first-degree family members of 23andMe
customers with a TTR variant detected in their Hereditary
Amyloidosis (TTR-Related) Genetic Health Risk report.
The disease, called TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis, is a
genetic condition caused by the buildup of a protein called
transthyretin (TTR) in the body's tissues and organs. This protein
buildup, called amyloidosis, can damage the nerves, the heart, and
other parts of the body.
“TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis runs in families, but is
hard to diagnose due to the various ways symptoms can manifest,”
said Anne Wojcicki, chief executive officer and co-founder of
23andMe. “By working with Alnylam to offer free kits to
first-degree family members of carriers, we will give individuals
the opportunity to learn about their risk, have more informed
conversations with their healthcare providers, and have better
outcomes.”
The new program is part of a collaboration to raise awareness of
this underdiagnosed, but potentially life-threatening, hereditary
condition.
In April 2019, 23andMe released a new Genetic Health Risk
report, supported in part by Alnylam, that looks at three of the
most common TTR variants and provides customers with information on
whether their genetics may place them at increased risk for
TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis. The condition is highly
hereditary, meaning that it is passed through families. If a person
has one genetic variant, at least one parent is also expected to
have the same variant. In addition, each child and sibling has at
least a 50 percent chance of having the variant.
“hATTR amyloidosis is a devastating condition that affects
families, generation after generation. This unique collaboration
with 23andMe builds on our commitment to raising awareness and
providing education about this rare disease, which people often
struggle with for years until receiving a proper diagnosis,” said
John Maraganore, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alnylam.
“Alnylam and 23andMe share a strong belief in the role genetics
plays in improving healthcare and managing diseases, particularly
those that have profound impact on patient lives. We’re proud to be
supporting the availability of tools like the 23andMe Hereditary
Amyloidosis (TTR-Related) Genetic Health Risk report and the
+myFamily program.”
As part of the +myFamily program, 23andMe customers who have
viewed their own Hereditary Amyloidosis (TTR-Related) report, opted
in to participate in 23andMe Research, and have been identified as
a carrier will have the opportunity to invite up to six
first-degree family members (parent, sibling or child) to receive a
free 23andMe Health + Ancestry kit. Family members who choose to
participate in the +myFamily program can choose whether they wish
to view their health reports, including their Hereditary
Amyloidosis (TTR-Related) Genetic Health Risk report.
About the 23andMe Hereditary Amyloidosis (TTR-related)
Genetic Health Risk Report The 23andMe Hereditary Amyloidosis
(TTR-related) Genetic Health Risk report looks at three of the most
common TTR variants (V122I, V30M, and T60A) that account for an
estimated 50-to-80 percent of TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis
cases and describes if a person has variants associated with an
increased risk of developing TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis.
The report does not test for all possible variants linked to
TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis. Customers that do not have one
of the variants 23andMe tests for could still have a variant not
covered in the report. The majority of the variants included in
this report have been most studied in people of African American,
West African, Portuguese, Northern Swedish, Japanese, Irish, and
British descent. 23andMe will not share customers’ individual-level
data, personal health information, or personally identifiable
information with Alnylam.
About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Alnylam (Nasdaq: ALNY) is
leading the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new
class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the
lives of people afflicted with rare genetic, cardio-metabolic,
hepatic infectious, and central nervous system (CNS)/ocular
diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics
represent a powerful, clinically validated approach for the
treatment of a wide range of severe and debilitating diseases.
Founded in 2002, Alnylam is delivering on a bold vision to turn
scientific possibility into reality, with a robust discovery
platform. Alnylam’s first approved RNAi therapeutic is ONPATTRO®
(patisiran) available in the U.S., EU and Japan. Alnylam has a deep
pipeline of investigational medicines, including five product
candidates that are in late-stage development. Looking forward,
Alnylam will continue to execute on its "Alnylam 2020" strategy of
building a multi-product, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical
company with a sustainable pipeline of RNAi-based medicines to
address the needs of patients who have limited or inadequate
treatment options. Alnylam employs over 1,200 people worldwide and
is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information about our
people, science and pipeline, please visit www.alnylam.com and
engage with us on Twitter at @Alnylam or on LinkedIn.
About 23andMe 23andMe, Inc. is the leading consumer
genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the
company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the
human genome. The company was named by TIME as a “Genius Company”
in 2018, and featured as Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Health
Company in 2018. 23andMe has millions of customers worldwide, with
more than 80 percent of customers consented to participate in
research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More
information is available at www.23andMe.com.
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Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Christine Regan Lindenboom
(Investors and Media)
617-682-4340
23andMe For press
inquiries, please contact press@23andme.com For healthcare professionals, please contact
medical@23andme.com
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