Sirius Genomics preps for sepsis research

There is only one approved treatment for sepsis on the market: activated protein C. But due to potential side effects, activated protein C isn't universally prescribed. Sirius Genomics hopes to help determine which cases should receive activated protein C via an international sepsis study.

Sirius is searching for genetic markers that will help predict a patient's likelihood of experiencing activated protein C's adverse side effects. Since the treatment can increase patient survival rates by 13%--normally 30% to 50% of sepsis patients die, with 18 million cases worldwide annually--a biomarker test could help determine which patients will benefit the most from activated protein C treatment.

"This study is unique because we have attracted the top clinical researchers in the world to participate," said Chris Wagner, president and CEO at Sirius Genomics, in a release. "Our common goal is to determine whether there is a genetic marker for positive response to treatment with activated protein C. Doctors can then run a simple test before prescribing the drug to ensure a patient with sepsis will benefit from treatment."

- read the Sirius release