Genetic Health Risk Service Allows Consumers to Screen for Alpha-1 at Home

Grifols announced the launch of its AlphaID^™ At Home Genetic Health Risk Service (AlphaID^™ At Home) to screen for the genetic risk of alpha₁-antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1).

Alpha-1 is a genetic condition caused by certain variants in the SERPINA1 gene. The condition, also known as genetic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is often misdiagnosed with other lung disorders because the symptoms resemble COPD and asthma.

The AlphaID At-Home kit is a free direct-to-consumer program that utilizes a secure HIPAA-compliant online portal. Once the at-home kit arrives, individuals collect their saliva sample and send it to a CLIA-certified lab for processing. Results are available within a few weeks through the online portal and can be shared with a health care provider.

“Given the fact that it can take several years until a patient with alpha-1 is properly diagnosed, AlphaID At Home can indicate someone’s risk for alpha-1 in a matter of weeks,” said Antonio Martínez, President of Grifols Diagnostic. “It’s a patient-friendly way to make a sophisticated genetic test simple and understandable.”

The AlphaID was originally approved for use by clinicians to screen patients with COPD for alpha-1 in 2018. In 2022, Grifols received clearance for direct-to-consumer use.