Top European lab to set up UAE's first genetic testing facility

IMGM Laboratories says the facility will enable doctors to individualise medicine for patients, as well as save lives by helping to prevent adverse drug reactions which kill an estimated 106,000 people in the US alone each year.

"Adverse drug reactions may be related to genetic variants and mutations," said Dr Hanns-Georg Klein, IMGM Laboratories. "Laboratory testing for individual genetic predisposition markers can help to predict drug reactions and to tailor medication and its dosage to the patient.

"The Middle East health industry is developing strongly. The field of medical genetics is quite new, so we see a chance to provide and establish genetic testing in the UAE," said Dr Klein.

No date has been fixed for the opening of the centre which is expected to be located in Dubai. In the meantime, IMGM Laboratories says it has developed an Internet-based 'DrugProfiler' database which can be accessed by doctors and pharmacists to find out about genetically caused adverse drug reactions.

"Using the database, all relevant information about more than 40.000 drugs can easily be interrogated. In addition doctors can find out about genes involved in the metabolism of the drug. By using 'DrugProfiler' a drug and its dosage can be tailored to the patient and bring individualised medicine closer," said Dr Klein.

IMGM Laboratories will be making its Middle East debut at Arab Health 2004 - the region's leading hospital, medical equipment and services exhibition and conference, to be held in Dubai from January 18 - 21.

Arab Health 2004 will be the biggest ever in the show's history, with 1600 companies from more than 50 countries participating. The event will fill all eight DIEC halls for the first time. It will feature 25 national pavilions, including for the first time, official group participation by Brazil, Holland, Pakistan, Singapore, Sweden and Turkey.

"The presence of companies at the cutting edge of medical technology, such as IMGM Laboratories, underlines Arab Health's contribution to the on-going development of world class health services in the Middle East," said John Hassett, Exhibitions Director of organiser IIR Exhibition's Healthcare Division.

"The exhibition is not just a buying and selling market place. It is a forum where healthcare professionals can see state-of-the-art technology and learn about the latest advances in treatment and patient care. It is also provides practitioners the opportunity to discuss their needs with the manufacturers and suppliers. This then enables producers to develop products specifically focussed to their requirements."

Arab Health 2004 is officially supported by the UAE Ministry of Health and the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services. The event's lead sponsor is Dubai Healthcare City - one of the world's most innovative healthcare projects.