Grifols Launches at Home Self-Screen for Genetic COPD

Rare Daily Staff

The global healthcare company Grifols said it has launched its AlphaID At Home Genetic Health Risk Service, the first-ever free, direct-to-consumer program in the United States to screen for the genetic risk of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Alpha-1, also known as genetic COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), is estimated to impact one in every 2,500 Americans. 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.

Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 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, as well as rare and null alleles.

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,” said Antonio Martínez, president of Grifols Diagnostic. “It’s a patient-friendly way to make a sophisticated genetic test simple and understandable.”

Grifols makes Prolastin-C, a treatment for adults with severe genetic  alpha -antitrypsin deficiency who have emphysema.