Theranostics is the term used to describe the proposed process of diagnostic therapy for individual patients - to test them for possible reaction to taking a new medication and to tailor a treatment for them based on the test results.[1] It is formed by the combination of the terms "Therapeutics" and "Diagnostics".[1]
It encompasses the possible utilisation of a wide range of subjects that includes: predictive medicine, personalized medicine, integrated medicine, pharmacodiagnostics and Dx/Rx partnering
This method is looked upon as the possible end result of new advances made in Pharmacogenomics, Drug Discovery using Genetics, Molecular Biology and Microarray chips technology.
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With the advent of personalised medicine and its associated demands for individualised products, Theranostics aims to provide a set of tools as well as the portent of relevant biological and clinical information that pharmaceutical companies must overcome.
With the likes of AstraZeneca, GSK, Pfizer, Lilly, Roche, BMS, Biogen, Abbott, Merck, Amgen and Novartis already actively involved in CDx collaborations within this growing industry, key Theranostic developers include a wide variety of companion diagnostic providers who see the potential of their products being applied to personalised drug therapies. Theranostics is good news for pharma and good news for diagnostic firms.
These pharmaceutical stakeholders are working together with national bodies such as the EDMA and BIVDA to advance this field, whilst coordinating with patients, consumers, physicians, payers and regualtory authiorities.
A regional industry meeting highlighting the emerging stakeholder relationships and their individual needs takes place in Geneva from 14-16 June.[2]
The term was used first by the CEO of PharmaNetics, John Funkhouser. He defined it as, "The ability to affect therapy or treatment of a diseased state."