Grifols has launched its AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service in the United States, a free direct-to-consumer program, to screen for the genetic risk of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1).
Alpha-1, also known as genetic COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), is estimated to impact 1 in every 2,500 Americans. With AlphaID At Home, people can collect a small saliva sample without needing to visit a healthcare professional to learn their risk of developing lung and/or liver disease linked to alpha-1.
Genetic COPD develops due to a genetic deficiency of alpha1 antitrypsin, a protective plasma protein that safeguards the lungs from inflammation caused by infection and inhaled irritants such as tobacco smoke. Many COPD patients don’t realize their condition could have a genetic component, even though medical guidelines and the COPD Foundation suggest they get screened to learn their genetic risk for alpha-1.
“Given the fact that it can take several years until a patient with alpha-1 is properly diagnosed, AlphaID At Home can indicate someone’s risk for alpha-1 in a matter of weeks,” says Antonio Martínez, president of Grifols Diagnostic. “It’s a patient-friendly way to make a sophisticated genetic test simple and understandable.”
Pia D’Urbano, president of Grifols Biopharma, adds, “Our hope is that through AlphaID At Home we can increase awareness about alpha-1 and accelerate diagnosis through the ease of at-home testing. This important screening service further strengthens Grifols’ firm commitment to the alpha-1 community.”
AlphaID At Home is now available to order in the United States without cost through a secure HIPAA-compliant online portal. Once the at-home screening kit arrives, individuals simply collect their saliva sample and send it to a CLIA-certified lab for processing. After a few weeks, they can access their genetic results on the secure online portal. Individuals are encouraged to share the results with their doctor, as only a healthcare provider can make a diagnosis of alpha-1.
Cleared by the FDA in November 2022 for direct-to-consumer use, AlphaID At Home screens for the 14 most prevalently reported genetic mutations associated with alpha-1 – the most of any test of its kind – including the S, Z, F, I alleles, as well as rare and null alleles. AlphaID At Home uses the same accurate genotyping test Grifols has manufactured and made available to physicians globally since 2018 to screen for alpha-1.
