Phenomix Sciences has launched its second of its gut-brain axis phenotyping test, MyPhenome Hungry Brain, new buccal swab test that determines if a patient’s phenotype is Hungry Brain, or if they’re a person who consumes too many calories without feeling full (abnormal satiation). The company released its first phenotype test for Hungry Gut earlier this year, and it’s currently in use by select US providers.
“This test will be groundbreaking in how I recommend treatment to my patients. Historically, the approach to obesity care has been a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Dr Zaid Jabbar, obesity medicine physician with Duly Health and Care in Oak Brook, IL. “These phenotype tests allow my team to recommend specific treatment plans for that individual and, ultimately, have a tremendous impact on their health.”
Once a specific phenotype, the combination of genes and other biometric data, is identified for a patient, providers are able to develop precise and effective treatment plans including lifestyle and diet intervention as well as medication and/or procedure recommendations. Clinical studies have demonstrated that patients with the Hungry Brain phenotype respond best to calorie-restricted, volumetric diets, medications like phentermine-topiramate, or procedures like an endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
Phenomix Sciences is working to overcome the obesity epidemic by identifying each patient’s subtype, or phenotype, of the disease. This is important because Phenomix’s physician founders, Drs Andres Acosta and Michael Camilleri of the Mayo Clinic, have shown that obesity treatments customised to a patient’s phenotype are more effective than treatments that are not customised. Acosta and Camilleri have pioneered the use of obesity phenotyping and have demonstrated its effectiveness in clinical studies of over 800 patients, determining that two phenotypes – Hungry Gut and Hungry Brain – affect 64% of obesity patients and are the primary causes of obesity.
“The launch of this latest test is another step forward in tackling obesity and we’re confident in its potential to change the way millions of people struggling with obesity are treated,” said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences. “Our research shows the most effective way to treat patients is by getting to the root of their obesity type. By drilling down to understand a patient’s unique genetic makeup, providers are able to use our tests to build a personalized treatment plan that’s tailored to their exact needs. We believe there is unlimited potential for more phenotypes and test development as the science progresses.”
The MyPhenome Hungry Brain test will be made available to a select group of providers across the US before a full roll-out later this year.