GENinCode Plc, a UK-based genetics company focused on cardiovascular disease prevention, faces regulatory challenges as the FDA maintains its position on outstanding deficiencies in the company's De Novo submission following a Supervisory Review.
FDA Supervisory Review Reduces but Maintains Key Deficiencies
The FDA recently provided a review of its April 2025 assessment in response to GENinCode's request for a Supervisory Review. While the number of outstanding deficiencies has been reduced, the review upheld the FDA's prior view that certain outstanding elements remain, including further information in relation to clinical validation.
The company's Board remains optimistic about resolving these issues, stating there is "a path forward to provide the further information to resolve these deficiencies to obtain De Novo classification." Discussions with the FDA have been described as productive, with the outstanding deficiencies reducing over time.
Ongoing Regulatory Dialogue
GENinCode has arranged further ongoing clarificatory discussions with the FDA to address the remaining issues. The Board does not believe there are any elements that it cannot address, however the company acknowledges there can be no certainty that the information provided will be sufficient to satisfy regulatory requirements.
The company plans to provide a further update at its Preliminary Results at the end of May 2025, which will offer additional clarity on the regulatory pathway forward.
Addressing Global Cardiovascular Disease Burden
GENinCode's predictive technology aims to address cardiovascular disease, which represents a significant global health challenge. According to the company, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, with one third of these deaths occurring prematurely in people under 70 years of age.
In the United States, coronary heart disease accounted for 375,476 deaths in 2021, affecting about 1 in 20 adults age 20 and older. Globally, an estimated 200 million people are living with coronary heart disease, with approximately 110 million men and 80 million women affected.
Technology and Market Position
GENinCode's CE marked in-vitro diagnostic molecular tests combine clinical algorithms and bioinformatics to provide advanced patient risk assessment for predicting cardiovascular disease. The company operates business units in the UK, Europe through GENinCode S.L.U, and in the United States through GENinCode U.S. Inc.
The company emphasizes that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable through lifestyle changes and a combination of public health actions addressing smoking, obesity, alcohol misuse, and food reformulation. Identifying those at highest risk of coronary heart disease and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths.