genedrive develops rapid point-of-care pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests for secondary stroke prevention and for preventing hearing loss in newborns. Securing international distribution partners for a home-grown technology like ours requires a precision strategy and disciplined execution.
For us, international distribution is not just about shipping tests; it’s about building the right ecosystem around an innovative and transformational technology where clinical pathways are being changed. Partners must have a compliant QMS and be able to register products, but that’s only the start. The real challenge is finding distributors who can reach clinicians and key opinion leaders who can champion the adoption of this new technology. Many companies in neonatology, cardiology or neurology don’t distribute in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests. PGx suppliers often sell only to labs while point-of-care distributors may lack PGx expertise. Very few can bridge all three.
Mindset matters just as much. Introducing an innovative PGx test that changes standard of care requires evidence generation, reimbursement work, clinical advocacy, and determined persistence..
Our structured process reflects this: prioritising high-value markets, rigorously qualifying potential distribution partners bringing entrepreneurship, agility and a willingness to commit for the longer term, and conducting extensive in-country engagement with clinicians, pharmacists, point-of-care teams, genetic specialists and Ministries of Health. Only when we see a clear and credible pathway to implementation do we progress to business planning, contracting and initial placements to build awareness.
A recent example is our Memorandum of Understanding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our valued partner, iDeal iDea is a perfect example of the attributes required, and together with the Ministry of Health, will pilot the Genedrive® MT-RNR1 ID Kit for antibiotic-induced hearing loss (AIHL) in newborns under the national Generations Hear initiative, fully aligned to Saudi Vision 2030 and its focus on precision medicine and preventive care. For a small UK innovator, securing national-level alignment in this growing market demonstrates our capability to navigate complexity and deliver commercial traction.
genedrive is proving that a focused UK diagnostics company can build global partnerships, scale innovations internationally, and build commercial growth and future investor value.
— Patrick Breen, Chief Commercial Officer, genedrive
