Genetic Analysis

IBS is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting an estimated 5-10% of the global population. Around 70% of IBS patients are associated with an altered gut microbiota composition (Dysbiosis), highlighting the need for improved diagnostic tools. This condition is associated with a significant cost burden to society, with annual direct and indirect costs in the United States estimated to approximately USD 30 billion. The Global IBS diagnostics market was estimated at USD 3.3 billion in 2025, CAGR of 5.72% during 2026-2034, and is expected to reach USD 5.4 billion by 2034 (i).

The method is based on analysis of gut microbiota composition to identify specific bacterial patterns associated with treatment responsiveness. By enabling clinicians to distinguish likely responders from non-responders, the method supports more specialized and effective treatment strategies, addressing a long-standing challenge in IBS management.  

The patent represents a further step in GA's strategy to develop microbiome-based diagnostics that can support clinical decision-making and treatment selection. It also expands the Company's intellectual property portfolio within companion diagnostics, where microbiota signatures can potentially be used to match patients with treatments more effectively.

Ronny Hermansen, CEO of Genetic Analysis, comments:
"One of the challenges in IBS treatment is that patients can respond differently to the same intervention. The ability to identify patients who are more likely to benefit from a specific treatment could therefore provide meaningful clinical value. This patent strengthens our position in microbiome-based companion diagnostics and supports our strategy of using gut microbiota signatures not only to characterize dysbiosis, but also to help guide treatment decisions. With patent protection in Canada extending to 2037, we continue to build an intellectual property portfolio around applications where microbiome diagnostics can contribute to more individualized patient care".