Promoting family and individual health through genetic screening

3X Genetics develops and sells low-cost screening tests that detect genetic diseases, including trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, such as myotonic dystrophy.

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Our Mission:Screen First

Genetic diseases often take 7-10 years to diagnose causing financial and emotional distress for the affected patients and their families. 3X Genetics is developing low-cost screeing tests for genetic disorders, starting with Myotonic Dystrophy.

Our mission is to provide medical professionals, governments, patient registries, clinics, and hospitals, with low cost screening tests that can be used to prevent or diagnose genetic diseases.

Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1)

3X Genetics is currently developing a low-cost screening test for DM1.

DM1 is a common form of muscular dystrophy. A recent study showed 1 in 500 people are carriers of a gene that has a 50/50 chance of causing the onset of myotonic dystrophy in the next generation.

50/50

Why Screening for DM1 Matters.

DM1 is one of fifty known trinucleotide repeat expansion (TRE) disorders. Other TRE’s include Huntington’s Disease and Fragile X.

TRE’s feature anticipation.

Anticipation means the disease worsens in follow-on generations.

In DM1 anticipation is particularly devastating as it causes systemic health problems that are difficult to diagnose. Thus, screening to find carriers of early stage DM1 is critical.

(Click arrows to see example of anticipation)

Generation 1 (No symptoms)

Generation 1 is typically found to contain between 38-50 (CTAG GAC) DNA Trinucleotide repeats considered “pre-mutation” with no identifiable symptoms.

Generation 2 (Mild symptoms)

Generation 2 is typically found to contain 100+ (CTAG GAC) DNA Trinucleotide repeats and begins to exhibit mild symptoms.

Generation 3 (Systemic Health Problems)

Generation 3 (can also occur in Gen 4) is typically found to contain 500+ (CTAG GAC) DNA Trinucleotide repeats with adult onset systemic health problems typically appearing.

Generation 4 (Severe Systemic Health Problems)

Generation 4 (can also occur in Gen 3) is typically found to contain 1000+ (CTAG GAC) DNA Trinucleotide repeats exhibiting severe early onset systemic health problems.

3X Genetics is developing low-cost screening tests for genetic disorders

It operates a genetic testing lab at the Massachusetts Biotech initiative located in Worcester, Massachusetts.

3X Genetics was founded by Kevin Donahue, an inventor/entreprenuer and father of two boys with Myotonic Dystrophy.

The 3X Genetic’s Lab and test development is managed by Michael Manak, the president and CSO of 3X Genetics.

MBI, 17 Briden St. Worcester, MA 01609

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