MetX funded by $1M grant from Metrodora Foundation to accelerate research for complex multisystem disorders

SALT LAKE CITY, UT and OXFORD, UK – 18 September 2024 – PrecisionLife, a leading clinical-stage precision medicine company focused on chronic diseases, and Metrodora Institute, an advanced US research and healthcare center, have begun sharing the first research results with participants from Metrodora’s MetX study. The Metrodora Foundation, a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provided critical funding to launch MetX with a generous $1M grant. 

This marks a significant breakthrough in precision medicine approaches for complex, chronic conditions including Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID, as it is the first time PrecisionLife’s groundbreaking disease models have been applied to explore new diagnostic tools and treatment options. 

ME/CFS and Long COVID are complex, debilitating conditions affecting millions of people worldwide and costing billions of dollars in healthcare. Despite extensive research over the years, effective diagnostic tests and treatments remain elusive. These diseases are poorly understood, leaving patients without clear answers or effective therapies. 

“The speed and precision of our progress in these trials is remarkable,” said Steve Gardner, CEO of PrecisionLife. “We identified and published the first-ever replicated genetic associations in both ME/CFS and Long COVID. Within six months, our partners at Metrodora Institute have designed, recruited, and returned the first research results for groundbreaking diagnostic tests incorporating our unique disease insights. We’re confident that the supporting systems and workflows are in place to support further trials and tests. Our partnership with Metrodora has the potential to transform the lives of tens of millions of patients affected by these and many other debilitating diseases.” 

Participants receive a detailed research report that identifies the underlying mechanisms of their disease, leading to more accurate diagnoses and the possibility of tailored therapies. Recruitment will be expanded to 1,000 participants and aims to validate these new genotypic tests thanks to support from the Metrodora Foundation. 

“To drive real progress for our patients, we have created a comprehensive landmark dataset that can be analyzed using cutting-edge technologies,” said Amy Rochlin, Metrodora Foundation’s Executive Director. “MetX transforms patient engagement by involving them as active partners in critical research and delivering essential data back to them. This study has the massive potential to unlock significant breakthroughs and deliver much-needed clarity in diagnosing and treating these complex diseases and revolutionizing care for countless individuals who currently have few effective options.” 

Participants in the MetX study may also be invited to join focused trials in the near future that evaluate the effectiveness of repurposed drug candidates targeting their specific disease mechanisms. If these drugs prove effective, they could demonstrate the potential of precision medicine to modify diseases and accelerate the development of new, targeted treatments that improve patient outcomes. Recruitment for the MetX study is ongoing in the US. For more information and to join the study, please visit the MetX study website at research.Metrodora.co.