For the past four years, Gene by Gene has provided our Lab services and our reporting service, myDNA have had the privilege of collaborating with Professor Padmanabhan and his team at the University of Glasgow’s Living Laboratory. Together, we have been supporting the Phoenix Trial—the largest clinical trial in pharmacogenomics of its kind—designed not only to demonstrate clinical efficacy but also to prove the economic benefit of PGx for healthcare systems.
The Clinical Problem: One Size Does Not Fit All
As a practicing physician and clinical researcher, Sandosh has faced a daily challenge known to every prescriber: variable drug response.
While a medication may be lifesaving for one patient, it can be entirely ineffective for another—or worse, trigger severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The root cause often lies in subtle genetic variations that dictate how an individual absorbs, metabolizes, activates, or clears a medication.
"The science of pharmacogenomics is not new—the term was coined in the 1950s, and its principles date back over 2,500 years to Pythagoras' warning against fava beans (now linked to G6PD deficiency). Despite decades of proven science, the healthcare industry has struggled to implement PGx at scale. Our shared focus is turning that science into accessible, routine care."
Why PGx Is a Game-Changer for Health Systems
The primary advantage of PGx is its lifetime utility:
- Test once, guide forever: A single genomic test provides actionable data that follows the patient throughout their life—informing current treatment and future prescribing across both primary and acute care settings.
Alignment with the NHS 10-Year Plan
Genomics is now established as one of the five strategic pillars of NHS England’s long-term roadmap. The goal is clear: within 10 years, 50% of all patient interactions will be informed by genomics, with pharmacogenomics and polygenic risk scores leading the implementation.
With genetic testing costs dropping significantly and policy makers, health systems, and patients aligning, large-scale implementation is finally within reach.
Overcoming Obstacles in the Acute Care Setting
To make PGx routine in clinical care, three core challenges had to be addressed:
- Turnaround Time: Delivering actionable genetic results quickly enough to inform acute clinical decisions.
- Infrastructure Integration: Seamlessly connecting lab data into existing electronic health record (EHR) systems.
- Clinical Education: Empowering physicians with clear, actionable decision-support tools at the point of care.
The Phoenix Trial: Proving the Clinical & Economic Case
Supported by the UK Government’s Strengthen Places Fund, the University of Glasgow’s Living Lab set out to prove that PGx benefits both patient outcomes and healthcare budgets.
As the testing and delivery partner, Gene by Gene and myDNA backed this vision to ensure the trial’s long-term impact:
- 3,000 Participants: The complex trial is on track to wrap up recruitment by the end of September.
- Health Economics: Robust data on clinical efficacy and cost savings will be published early next year.
- NHS Adoption: The trial results will provide the formal evidence base needed to integrate PGx directly into routine NHS pathways.
A Vision for the Future
The widespread adoption of pharmacogenomics will be transformative across the entire healthcare ecosystem:
- For Patients: The peace of mind that their treatment plan is tailored to their unique genetic profile.
- For Doctors: Increased prescribing precision and confidence, improved patient safety, and reduced trial-and-error prescribing.
- For Health Systems & Policy Makers: Better clinical outcomes, reduced hospital admissions from ADRs, and significant cost savings.
We look forward to sharing the full Phoenix Trial results early next year as we continue working alongside Prof. Sandosh Padmanabhan and the Living Lab team to shape the future of personalized medicine.
Watch full discussion here
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Gene By Gene is a world leader in genetic testing services with over 20 years of experience. Our laboratory holds accreditation from multiple agencies, including CAP, CLIA, California Department of Public Health, and AABB. With a cutting-edge laboratory and highly trained team of experts, we are committed to excellence in the field of genetic analysis.
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