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MyGene Pty Ltd
Company typePrivate
IndustryBiotechnology
Founded[Melbourne 2007 (2007)]
FoundersHarry Banaharis
DefunctSeptember 11, 2013 (2013-09-11)
FateDissolved
Headquarters
Melbourne, Victoria
,
Australia
Key people
David Koadlow, Chairman, Nick Argyrou, CEO, Dr Graeme Smith, CSO
ServicesGenetic testing
OwnerMyGene Holdings Pty Ltd
Number of employees
15
Subsidiaries
  • Advanced DNA Laboratories Pty Ltd
  • Genetic Sciences Pty Ltd
  • Genetic Investments Pty Ltd
Websitearchive-au.com/page/376909/2012-10-05/http://www.mygene.com.au/

MyGene Pty. Ltd. was a privately held genetic testing services company located in Melbourne, Australia that owned and operated an accredited on-site laboratory.

MyGene specialised in the development of genetic tests and interpretive reports that assessed the genetic contribution of personal response to diet, also known as nutrigenetics.

Founding

MyGene was conceived and established by Harry Banaharis during work done in profiling umbilical cord blood and mesenchymal stem cells. In 2006, he established a prototype gene testing laboratory, centered around a Biotage pyrosequencing instrument for analysing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), housed within the Alfred Hospital research centre where he used it to generate data to support his Honours thesis [1]. .

The first commercial laboratory was established at Melbourne CBD in 2007 and the first commercial genetic testing kit developed, targeted direct to consumers, analysed SNPs in 3 genes associated with sports performance, ACTN3, ACE I/D and APOE4.

  • The MyGene Genetic Testing Kit with 2 coded swabs for buccal collection and customer ID card
    The MyGene Genetic Testing Kit with 2 coded swabs for buccal collection and customer ID card
  • Detail of collection swabs and customer ID card
    Detail of collection swabs and customer ID card
  • Mygene Sports Performance Gene Test Brochure
    Mygene Sports Performance Gene Test Brochure

In 2009 Harry Banaharis was joined by Nick Argyrou, a property developer and former SelecTV director and his wife Helen Argyrou, a multiple pharmacist owner. The Argyrou's were keen to commercialise a meal replacement formulation based on a genetic test and Graeme Smith, a biochemist and biomedical researcher was recruited to help formulate the nutrigenetic meal replacement variants.

Nutrigenetics

MyGene's novel approach to predicting the hereditary component of dietary response was to test for variations in genes that were known to be associated with disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism (see US application 2012258183 ).

According to this method, the greater the number of genetic variants that an individual was found to carry that increased the risk of metabolic disturbances in glucose metabolism, the greater the sensitivity to dietary carbohydrates. Similarly, the number of genetic variations associated with adverse lipid metabolism was considered to be proportional to dietary fat sensitivity.

Sensitivity to a macronutrient would indicate that its reduction in the diet may have conferred increased metabolic and health benefits. Further refinements to personalising diet included tests for genes associated with gluten sensitivity, lactose intolerance, salt palatability, appetite control, folate and Vitamin D metabolism.

Accreditations
National Association of Testing Authorities: accredited for Genetic Testing and Molecular Genetics
Royal College of Pathologists of Australia: accredited for Genetic Testing

Weightloss Complete® Genetic Test

In 2011 MyGene brought to market a nutrigenetic dietary program to optimise weight loss that was composed of a genetic test, a genetically allocated meal replacement formulation and 12-week dietary program (MyGene Weightloss Complete®[2][3]). Via a collaboration with The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Australia's chief pharmacy body representing community pharmacies)[4] a selected number of participating pharmacies installed MyGene booths whereby customers had their DNA collected for processing and were counselled on the type of dietary regime they should follow to achieve their desired weight management goals. The program was also offered in a clinical setting for the treatment of obesity.[5].

Despite the support of the Pharmacy Guild the claims in MyGene's dietary program were met with scepticism particularly as supporting clinical research was found to be lacking [6] [7][8] resulting in the program being cancelled by the beginning of 2012.

Voluntary Administration & Wind Up

On 11 September 2013, following irreconcilable differences between its major shareholders, MyGene was placed in voluntary administration and wound up [9] .

Disambiguation

MyGene Pty Ltd and its registered Australian trademarks (1118770, 1349573) were unrelated to the "My Gene Profile" test and company that marketed it.

See also

Other Nutrigenetic Testing Companies

Pathway Genomics Inherent Health FitGenes

References

  1. ^ "Monash University Biomedical Sciences Annual Report 2006" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Weightloss Complete® Genetic Test and Program" MyGene Weightloss Complete® Brochure
  3. ^ "GPs to offer genetic test".
  4. ^ "Guild endorses MyGene" Pharmacy Daily - Pharmacy Industry News
  5. ^ "Mygene Complete Weightloss Program".
  6. ^ "Pharmacies cop flak over genetic testing for weight loss".
  7. ^ "Want to try the latest fad diet? Just ask your local pharmacist".
  8. ^ "GPs offer genetic weight loss program".
  9. ^ "Notice of Deemed Special Resolution to Wind Up a Company".
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