Phenomix Sciences has launched a new MyPhenome test that now allows patients to test for all three identified phenotypes - Emotional Hunger, Hungry Gut and Hungry Brain - in one simple test. For the first time, the new test gives deeper insights into the presence of one or more phenotypes, how that influences an individual’s obesity, and an in-depth MyPhenome test report personalised to the patient.
Obesity phenotypes are the combination of genes and other biometric data that cause obesity, first discovered by Phenomix’s co-founders and Mayo Clinic physicians, Drs Andres Acosta and Michael Camilleri. Phenomix co-founders previously identified that patients can exhibit multiple phenotypes, with a primary (leading) phenotype and one or more underlying phenotypes. A 2024 study (Ghusn, W., Cifuentes, L., Anazco, D. et al. Cumulative effect of obesity phenotypes on body weight and body mass index. Int J Obes (2024)) links patients with multiple phenotypes to higher body weight and body mass index. Notably, obesity treatments tailored to a patient’s phenotype(s) are twice as effective as other one-size-fits-all treatments.
The new MyPhenome test and report will outline a patients’ identified phenotype(s) and personalized context behind the cause of their obesity. From there, patients can log into the MyPhenome portal for additional resources, including specific meal plans and recipes that complement their phenotype. It also helps providers develop precise and effective treatment plans including lifestyle and diet intervention as well as medication and/or procedure recommendations.
The three phenotypes now available in the MyPhenome test, include:
Emotional Hunger - Individuals who eat in response to emotional triggers and are characterized by high levels of cravings, anxiety, and depression. Treatment can include cognitive therapy and medications such as Naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave), that decrease emotional eating and increase self-awareness.
Hungry Gut - Patients with abnormal satiety have accelerated gastric emptying. Treatment can include the “Hungry Gut Diet,” medications such as semaglutide (GLP-1s), and certain devices and bariatric surgeries.
Hungry Brain - Patients with abnormal satiation require more calories at each meal to reach maximal fullness. Treatment can include the “Hungry Brain Diet,” medications such as phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), and certain devices and bariatric surgeries.
“The release of our newest test is a testament of our commitment to further understand the complexity of obesity and find ways to solve it,” said Mark Bagnall, CEO of Phenomix Sciences. “This test goes beyond simply providing a yes or no answer; it offers a deeper understanding of the degree to which these phenotypes affect each patient and provides actionable ways to address it. Backed by powerful machine learning and groundbreaking research, this is just the beginning of unlocking the potential of obesity precision medicine.”
Phenomix continues to deploy AI tools to analyze genetic and other biological data to understand how phenotypes influence an individual’s obesity and to facilitate the continued advancement of these patient-centric insights.
The new MyPhenome test is now available to providers across the US. If you are interested in offering the test to patients or learning more, visit www.phenomixsciences.com.