Business
Sussex NHS Trust transitions MT-RNR1 test to BAU
Genedrive PLC announced that University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has transitioned its MT-RNR1 test to a Business as Usual clinical service, effective May 1, 2026, to prevent antibiotic-induced hearing loss in neonates. This marks a significant step towards wider adoption of the test in the UK, with nearly 40 babies already identified with the MT-RNR1 variant since its introduction, allowing for alternative antibiotic prescriptions. Genedrive is actively discussing similar transitions with other hospitals involved in the PALOH-UK program, as funding from the Office for Life Sciences and National Institute for Health and Care Research for these sites will cease by June 2026. Disclaimer*
About this update from Genedrive Plc
5 May 2026 genedrive plc ("genedrive" or the "Company") University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust transitions genedrive's MT-RNR1 test to Business as Usual clinical service genedrive plc (AIM: GDR), the point of care pharmacogenetic testing company, is pleased to announce that, from 1 May 2026, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust ("UHS") hospitals transitioned to Business as Usual ("BAU") routine clinical service of the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID kit for the prevention of Antibiotic Induced Hearing Loss ("AIHL") in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units ("NICU"). UHS Royal County Sussex Hospital's Trevor Mann Baby Unit provides specialist care for approximately 400 NICU admissions annually and has been a participating site in the PALOH-UK programme, which aims to address National Institute for Clinical Care and Excellence ("NICE") Real World Evidence generation requirements. To date, nearly 40 babies in NICUs have been identified with the MT-RNR1 variant since introduction of the test in the UK, enabling alternative antibiotic prescription and reducing the risk of aminoglycoside-induced lifelong hearing loss. Dr Gino Miele, CEO of genedrive plc, said: "The transition to BAU routine clinical service at UHS is a key milestone in driving wider scale adoption of our MT-RNR1 genetic test in the UK. UHS was an early adopter of this test prior to the initiation of the PALOH-UK programme and has been a key supporter of genedrive's technology. Since its introduction in the region, the test has had clear impact, identifying several babies who otherwise would have been at risk of lifelong hearing loss. We are delighted that babies and families in this region of NHS England will continue to benefit from the routine availability of our test. "We are in active discussions with other hospitals in the PALOH-UK programme to support the transition of our MT-RNR1 test from PALOH-UK based funding to embedding into routine practice to ensure that newborn babies across the UK continue to have access to this preventive test." Funding for PALOH-UK sites is provided by the Office for Life Sciences ("OLS") and National Institute for Health and Care Research ("NIHR") and will cease by June 2026, with some sites completing earlier. Subsequent review and issuance of final guidance by NICE is expected around July 202...