Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC (AIM:IHC) has launched a kit to diagnose newly born babies at risk of hearing loss from certain types of antibiotics.
AIM-listed genedrive has developed the new kit, which will be distributed by Inspiration, to screen babies for the maternally inherited genetic variant termed MT-RNR1, which if undetected can cause lifelong and irreversible deafness.
Through the partnership, Inspiration has an exclusive agreement to distribute the kit in the UK and Ireland and the goal is to allow screening for all children receiving antibiotics on admission to intensive care.
In the UK, approximately 90,000 babies are admitted to NICU each year and approximately 80%-85% of them receive antibiotics, it added.
Genedrive's genetic test can be completed in less than 30 minutes, allowing for alternative treatment decisions on antibiotics within one hour of admission.
Inspiration Healthcare has an option to extend the agreement further through its global commercial network.
Neil Campbell, Inspiration’s chief executive, said: "We are excited to be involved in this groundbreaking approach for dealing with MT-RNR1 with genedrive.
“It fits perfectly with our track record of providing innovative solutions to improve the outcomes for neonates."