Genedrive (AIM:GDR) shares rocketed, rising 12.6% to 1.379p, after Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust moved the Genedrive MT-RNR1 ID kit into routine clinical use across three hospitals.
St Mary's, North Manchester and Wythenshawe hospitals collectively handle approximately 1,800 neonatal intensive care unit admissions each year and have been among eight Greater Manchester sites participating in the 14-site PALOH-UK programme, a national initiative generating real-world evidence to meet requirements set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
More than 30 critically ill babies in Greater Manchester have been identified as carrying the MT-RNR1 genetic variant since testing began, allowing clinicians to prescribe alternative antibiotics and avoid aminoglycoside-induced permanent hearing loss.
"The Genedrive assay has become an integral part of our neonatal practice, enabling rapid identification of babies at risk of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss," said Dr Ajit Mahaveer, Consultant Neonatologist at Saint Mary's Hospital.
PALOH-UK funding from the Office for Life Sciences and the National Institute for Health and Care Research is set to cease by the end of this month, and Genedrive said it is in active discussions with other participating hospitals to support similar transitions to self-funded routine use.
NICE is expected to issue final guidance around July 2027.
