Aurora Physicians Have Access to Novel Genetic Testing to Better Identify and Treat Heart Disease

Aurora Health Care, Wisconsin's largest health care provider, and Celera Corporation (NASDAQ:CRA), a health care company focused on genetics, announced today that they have entered into an agreement to collaborate on the integration of genetic testing aimed at optimizing heart care for Aurora patients.

As a result of activities under the agreement, Aurora is the first health care provider in Wisconsin and one of the first in the nation to be able to offer patients a test for a variant in a gene called KIF6, which studies have shown indicates a significantly increased risk for heart disease.

Studies have shown that carriers of the KIF6 gene variant make up about 60 percent of researched populations and that untreated KIF6 carriers have a 50-55 percent greater risk for heart attacks^1-4.

Despite the risk factor, research also has shown that carriers respond very well to certain statins^1,2, a medication used to reduce cholesterol levels. The use of genetic testing is expected to help Aurora physicians identify those patients who are most at risk and to select optimal treatments for them earlier, before a heart attack occurs.

This testing, which will be Aurora’s first use of genetic testing in cardiovascular care, is expected to start with patients of Aurora’s Cardiovascular Services and to be useful for primary care physicians as well. A simple swab of the inside of a patient’s cheek will provide the DNA sample needed for the test.

Aurora and Celera have agreed to explore research areas of mutual interest to validate additional genetic markers for cardiovascular disease risk and treatment.

“We’re delighted to be working with Celera, which decoded the human genome, to incorporate genetic testing that will allow our physicians to more readily identify patients who are at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease and to determine the most appropriate form of treatment,” said Masood Akhtar, M.D., President of Aurora Cardiovascular Services. “We view this collaboration as an ideal matching of science and medicine that can greatly benefit our patients.”

“We’re pleased to collaborate with Aurora as one of the largest and most technologically advanced health care providers,” said Kathy Ordoñez, Chief Executive Officer of Celera. “We believe Aurora is the ideal partner to serve as the first Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Genetics, as it has a commitment to best practices in cardiovascular treatment by incorporating the latest technology to improve patient care.”

Traditional cardiovascular assessment programs identify only a portion of individuals at risk for heart attacks.